Joshua 4:20-24 NIV

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 4:20

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 4:20

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:22

Then ye shall let your children know - The necessity of an early religious education is inculcated through the whole oracles of God. The parents who neglect it have an awful account to give to the Judge of quick and dead. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:24

That all the people of the earth might know - It is very likely that הארץ עמי כל col ammey haarets means simply, all the people of this land - all the Canaanitish nations, to whom, by the miracles wrought in behalf of his people, he intended to show his eternal power and Godhead, the excellence of his protection, and the unavailableness of human might against his omnipotence; and the miracles he wrought for this people, in the sight of the heathen, were well calculated to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:24

Verse 24 24.That all people of the earth might know, etc He states that God had put forth that manifestation of his power that it might not only be proclaimed among his own people, but that the form of it might spread far and wide among the nations. For although it pleased him that his praise should dwell in Zion, it pleased him also that his works should so far be made known to strangers that they might be forced to confess that he is the true God, and compelled unwillingly to fear him whom... read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:24

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 4:24

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