Joshua 4:19-20 NIV

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:19

Verse 19 19.And the people came up, etc Why the day on which they entered the land, and first encamped in it, is marked, we shall see in next chapter. But the name of Gilgal is given to the first station by anticipation, for this new name was afterwards given to it by Joshua on the renewal of circumcision; its etymology will be explained in its own place. Moreover, the thing here principally treated of is the monument of twelve stones; for though it was formerly mentioned, a kind of solemn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:1-24

The memorial. Prom this chapter we learn several lessons. I. THE DUTY OF COMMEMORATING , BY A PIOUS MEMORIAL , THE GOOD THINGS GOD HAS DONE FOR US . The memory of events under the law was ever kept up in this way. The memorials of God's mercy we read of in the Old Testament are innumerable. There was circumcision, the memorial of God's covenant with Abraham; the stone set up at Bethel, the memorial of Jacob's vision. There was the passover, the memorial of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:6-22

Memorials. The crossing the Jordan dry shod was tile first miracle which marked the entrance of the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. It was God's purpose that this should be held in perpetual remembrance. Hence the erection of the twelve stones in the bed of the river, to remind the twelve tribes of that which the Almighty hand had wrought for them, in fulfilment of the promise made to their fathers. The material monument would, however, be insufficient of itself to preserve this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:19

On the tenth day of the first month. This statement, compared with Joshua 5:10 , will bear close analysis, and refutes the clumsy compiler theory. There was just time between the tenth and fourteenth day of the month for the events described in the meantime. And the scrupulous obedience to the law, the provisions of which, we are expressly told, had been of necessity neglected hitherto, is a fact closely in keeping with the character of Joshua, and the whole spirit of the narrative. ... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 4:19

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

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:6-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:19

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