Joshua 1:14

14. [

This side Jordan An incorrect translation of בעבר הירדן , which can only mean beyond the Jordan. Our translators were governed, in their rendering, by the position of Joshua at the time of this address; but the Book of Joshua was written after the conquest and settlement of Palestine when beyond the Jordan was the common term for the country east of the Jordan, and so the writer simply follows the usus loquendi of his time. This eastern section, which in our Saviour’s time was called Perea, and was the region of much of his ministry, (see notes on Matthew 4:25; Luke 9:51,) is designated in Joshua 1:15 as (Hebrews) beyond Jordan towards the sunrising; and in Joshua 5:1. Western Palestine is called beyond Jordan towards the sea. ]

Mighty men of valour The more valiant of the two and a half tribes, not their entire military strength. From Joshua 4:13 we learn that only forty thousand of them were required to cross to the western side; the remainder probably about seventy thousand, (see Numbers 31:0,) remaining on the eastern side of the river to protect the families and substance of the two and a half tribes from the incursions of their still numerous though defeated enemies dwelling in the wide eastern plains.

Armed Scholars differ as to the meaning of this word. Some assert that it signifies “girt about the loins;” hence “ready, equipped, drawn up for battle.” Others, on very good grounds, believe that it means “in five divisions, namely, the centre, two wings, vanguard, and rearguard,” according to the usual form in which an army marches into battle. In Exodus 13:18 (see note) it is rendered harnessed.