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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 3:1-6

Rahab, in mentioning to the spies the drying up of the Red Sea (Josh. 2:10), the report of which terrified the Canaanites more than anything else, intimates that those on that side the water expected that Jordan, that great defence of their country, would in like manner give way to them. Whether the Israelites had any expectation of it does not appear. God often did things for them which they looked not for, Isa. 64:3. Now here we are told, I. That they came to Jordan and lodged there, Josh.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:3

And they commanded the people ,.... In the name of Joshua, by whom they were sent: saying, when ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it : the Targum reads, the priests and Levites; so the Septuagint: it was the business of the Levites, particularly the Kohathites, to bear the ark in journeying, but here the priests, who also were Levites, were to carry it: it is remarked in the Talmud F16 T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 33. 2. , that there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 3:1-6

The command to cross Jordan. We have here a chapter replete with instruction, whether we take the words in their natural and literal or in their figurative and allegorical sense. The instruction is of a kind which it is difficult to gather up into one point of view, so various and many-sided is it. It will be best, therefore, to follow the events of the narrative seriatim, and endeavour to notice the various points which may be observed for instruction and exhortation, rather than to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 3:3

And they commanded the people, saying. These words are interesting as showing that all was orderly in the Israel-irish camp. Everything was carried on according to the strictest rules of military discipline. The removal of the ark was to be the signal for the advance of the whole host. The ark of the covenant. We may with advantage compare the religious use of the ark here and in Joshua 6:1-27 ; with its superstitious use in 1 Samuel 4:3 , 1 Samuel 4:4 . We do not read that when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 3:3

At this decisive moment, when the people of Israel were about to enter on the great conflict which was to secure the possession of the land of promise, the command was given to gather themselves together around the ark of the covenant, as their banner. This indicates the great central truth of the history of Israel. The focus of its national life is the law of its God. It is for this it is to fight and overcome, and not merely that it may gain possession of a rich country and develop its... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 3:2-3

Joshua 3:2-3. After three days The three days mentioned Joshua 1:11, either at the end of them, or upon the last of them. The officers went through the host To give them more particular directions, as they had given a general notice before. They commanded the people In Joshua’s name, and by his authority. When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God The sign and symbol of his presence, and of his being in covenant with you, and engaged to protect and conduct you, as your... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:1-17

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 3:3

the ark . Not the cloud, but the ark; as from Sinai. Compare Numbers 10:33 . the LORD your God = Jehovah your Elohim . App-4 . the Levites. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, reed "and the Levites". bearing it. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 .) by adding "[going before]" from next clause. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Joshua 3:2-3

"And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp; and they commanded the people, When ye see the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it."The chronology of the narrative here follows no stereotyped pattern. "There can be no reasonable doubt that the spies had returned before the order given in Joshua 1:10, and there is no need to suppose that each separate... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 3:3

Ver. 3. When ye see the ark—and the priests the Levites bearing it— See Numbers 4:15. The Levites of the family of Kohath were appointed to the office of carrying the ark of the covenant; but, in extraordinary cases, this care was committed to the priests, who are here called the Levites, for a reason given in a former place. See Deuteronomy 17:9. Then ye shall remove, &c.— Whereas in common marches the ark was carried in the middle of the camps, as we read Numbers 2:17. God on this... read more

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