Joshua 4:19-24

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 4:19

And the people came up out of Jordan ,.... The channel of it, to the shore: on the tenth day of the first month ; the month Nisan or Abib, which from the time of Israel's coming out of Egypt was appointed the first month of the year, Exodus 12:2 ; on the fifteenth of which month they came out of Egypt, having kept the passover on the fourteenth at even; so that their coming out of Egypt, to their entrance into Canaan, was just forty years, wanting five days. This tenth day was the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:20

And those twelve stones which they took out of Jordan ,.... The twelve men who were sent there for that purpose, and took them from thence, and brought them hither, Joshua 4:3 , did Joshua pitch in Gilgal ; set them in rows, or one upon another, and made a pillar of them commemorative of their passage over Jordan into the land of Canaan: according to Josephus F14 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 4.) , he made an altar of these stones; and Ben Gersom is of opinion, that they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:21

And he spoke unto the children of Israel, saying ,.... At the same time he set up the stones: when you children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying , What mean these stones ? See Gill on Joshua 4:6 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:22

Then ye shall let your children know ,.... The meaning of the erection of these stones, acquaint them with the whole history, the meaning of which they are designed to perpetuate: saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land ; and if they should ask how that could possibly be done, or if they did not, they were to inform them by what means it was brought about, as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:23

For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over ,.... As this is supposed to be said in future time, and to persons who were not upon the spot when this was done, and so entirely ignorant of the affair; it is not to be understood of them personally, but of the same people they were of, the people of Israel in former times, of their ancestors, and of them in them; the benefits of which they enjoyed by possessing the land of Canaan their fathers... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:24

That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty ,.... Even almighty, and can do that which is marvellous and surprising, and above the power of nature to effect; things unsearchable and past finding out, which cannot be expressed, or conceived how and by what means they are brought about; this the very Heathens would own and acknowledge when they should see these stones, and be told the meaning of them, or should hear of this amazing event: that ye... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:19

On the tenth day of the first month - As the Israelites left Egypt on the fifteenth day of the first month, A.M. 2513, (see Exodus 14:1-31), and they entered into Canaan the tenth of the first month, A.M. 2553, it is evident that forty years, wanting five days, had elapsed from the time of their exodus from Egypt to their entrance into the promised inheritance. Encamped in Gilgal - That is, in the place that was afterwards called Gilgal, see Joshua 5:9 ; for here the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:20

Those twelve stones - It is very likely that a base of mason-work was erected of some considerable height, and then the twelve stones placed on the top of it; and that this was the case both in Jordan and in Gilgal: for twelve such stones as a man could carry a considerable way on his shoulder, see Joshua 4:5 , could scarcely have made any observable altar, or pillar of memorial: but erected on a high base of mason-work they would be very conspicuous, and thus properly answer the end... read more

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