Joshua 4:10-24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 4:10-19

The inspired historian seems to be so well pleased with his subject here that he is loth to quit it, and is therefore very particular in his narrative, especially in observing how closely Joshua pursued the orders God gave him, and that he did nothing without divine direction, finishing all that the Lord had commanded him (Josh. 4:10), which is also said to be what Moses commanded. We read not of any particular commands that Moses gave to Joshua about this matter: the thing was altogether new... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 4:20-24

The twelve stones which were laid down in Gilgal (Josh. 4:8) are here set up either one upon another, yet so as that they might be distinctly counted, or one by another in rows; for after they were fixed they ar not call a heap of stones, but these stones. I. It is here taken for granted that posterity would enquire into the meaning of them, supposing them intended for a memorial: Your children shall ask their fathers (for who else should they ask?) What mean these stones? Notes, Those that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:10

For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan ,.... Though on dry ground, the waters being divided: until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua ; that is, until all the people had passed over Jordan, as the Lord had ordered Joshua, to encourage them unto, and go over with them, Joshua 1:2 ; and which Moses, by divine direction, had given Joshua in charge to do, Deuteronomy 31:7 ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:11

And it came to pass, when the people were clean passed over ,.... Every one of them, as in Joshua 3:17 , that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people ; that is, the priests bearing the ark came out of the midst of Jordan in the sight of all the people, who were on the banks of it, on the other side, where they had been stationed during the passage of the people; though this motion of them was not until they received an order for it, of which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:12

And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh ,.... Who were settled on the other side Jordan, in the countries taken from Sihon and Og: passed over armed before the children of Israel ; the rest of the tribes: as Moses spake unto them ; or ordered them, and as they promised they would, Numbers 32:17 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:13

About forty thousand prepared for war ,.... Accoutred with proper armour to defend themselves, and their brethren, and annoy their enemies: this is to be understood of such a number of the above mentioned tribes; otherwise the number of all Israel that went over Jordan, even armed or fighting men, besides women and children, were five hundred thousand or more. Now though the number of men fit for war, of these tribes, were an hundred thirty thousand, who were all, according to the original... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:14

On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of Israel ,.... Made him great and honourable in their esteem, by doing what he foretold would be done, dividing the waters of Jordan, drying up the river to make a passage for them through it, as on dry land: and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life ; had a reverend esteem of him, and affection for him, and yielded obedience to him all his days; see Exodus 14:31 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:15

And the Lord spake unto Joshua ,.... When all the people had passed over jordan: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:16

Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony ,.... In all places before, in this history, the ark is called the ark of the covenant, here the ark of the testimony, which signifies the same thing, the law; which was both the covenant between God and the people, and a testimony of his will unto them; the Septuagint version has both words: that they come up out of Jordan ; where they stayed until all the people passed over, for the encouragement of them, and until they received... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:17

Joshua therefore commanded the priests ,.... In obedience to the Lord, and sent them an order: saying ; as follows: come ye up out of Jordan ; from the midst of the river to the bank of it, which was properly an ascent. read more

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