Joshua 3:5-7 KJV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 3:7-13

We may observe here how God honours Joshua, and by this wondrous work he is about to do designs to make Israel know that he is their governor, and then how Joshua honours God and endeavours by it to make Israel know that he is their God. Thus those that honour God he will honour, and those whom he has advanced should do what they can in their places to exalt him. I. God speaks to Joshua to put honour upon him, Josh. 3:7, 8. 1. It was a great honour God id him that he spoke to him as he had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:5

And Joshua said unto the people ,.... On the third day; and the thirtieth day of the mourning for Moses, Jarchi says, was the first of the three days, and that being the seventh day of the month, this must be the ninth, as it is most clear the morrow was the tenth: sanctify yourselves ; in a ceremonial sense, by washing their bodies and their clothes, and abstaining from their wives; and in a moral sense, by acts of religion and devotion, by prayer and meditation, and the exercise of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:6

And Joshua spoke unto the priests ,.... On the morrow, that is, on the tenth day of the month, the day on which they went over Jordan: saying, take up the ark of the covenant ; in which the law was put, which was the covenant between God and the people, from whence the ark had this name; and in which it was typical of Christ, in whom both the law, the covenant of works, was fulfilled, and with whom the covenant of grace was made; who is the Mediator; surety, and messenger of it, and in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:7

And the Lord said unto Joshua ,.... Out of the tabernacle: this day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel ; by working the miracle afterwards related; dividing the waters, which was done on this day, and was but the beginning of wonders; for other great and marvellous things were done for him and by him, by which it appeared he was high in the favour of God, greatly esteemed and honoured by him, and so would be great and honourable in the account of the people: that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:5

Sanctify yourselves - What was implied in this command we are not informed; but it is likely that it was the same as that given by Moses, Exodus 19:10-14 . They were to wash themselves and their garments, and abstain from every thing that might indispose their minds from a profitable attention to the miracle about to be wrought in their behalf. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:6

Spake unto the priests , saying , Take up the ark - It is remarkable that the priests, not the Levites, whose ordinary business it was were employed to carry the ark on this occasion. Calmet conjectures that this was because it was probably carried without being wrapped up in its curtains, as it always was when the Levites carried it. Though it was the business of the Levites, the sons of Kohath, to carry the ark; yet on certain occasions the priests alone performed this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:7

This day will I begin to magnify thee - By making him the instrument in this miraculous passage, he did him honor and gave him high credit in the sight of the people: hence his authority was established, and obedience to him as their leader fully secured. What must have confirmed this authority was, his circumstantially foretelling how the waters should be cut off as soon as the feet of the priests had touched them, Joshua 3:13 . This demonstrated that the secret of the Lord... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:5

Verse 5 5.And Joshua said, etc Some unwonted manifestation of divine power in bringing assistance behooved to be held forth, lest the backwardness arising from hesitancy might produce delay; and yet, in order that the Israelites might depend on the mere counsel of God, Joshua does not yet plainly point out the special nature of the miracle, unless, indeed, we choose to read what follows shortly after, as forming part of one context. Herein lies the true test of faith, to lean so on the counsel... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:6

Verse 6 6.And Joshua spoke unto the priests, etc It is probable that the priests were informed why God wished the ark to precede, that they might be more ready to execute the command, for the whole people are immediately after made acquainted with the intended division of the waters. As the prefects had formerly published in the camp, that the people were to follow the ark of the covenant, the priests could not possibly be ignorant as to the office which they were to perform. For it had been... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 3:7-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:6

Group of Brands