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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:23

For . The original here again is אֲשֶׁר , with the meaning because. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 4:24

The hand of the Lord, that it is mighty. "Thus the river, though dumb, was the best of heralds, proclaiming with a loud voice that heaven and earth are subject to the Lord God of Israel" (Calvin). That ye might fear. The construction here is unusual. Instead of the imperfect or infinitive with לְמַעַן we have the perfect. Therefore Ewald, Maurer, and Knobel (who says that the second member of the sentence ought to correspond with the first) have altered the pointing in order to bring... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 4:15

The passage of the priests to the further bank had been already referred to, Joshua 4:11; but the writer, in observance of his general plan (compare introductory remarks to Joshua 3:0), re-introduces it here as the leading feature in the concluding section of his account, and (as before) with mention of God’s special direction about it. The statement that on the removal of the ark the waters of Jordan at once returned to their former level Joshua 4:18, heightens the impression which is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 4:19

Gilgal, mentioned here by anticipation (compare Joshua 5:9), the modern Jiljulieh (Conder), was on rising ground (compare Joshua 5:3), and, according to Josephus, nearly five miles from the river, and consequently about two from the city itself. The site of the camp was no doubt fortified by Joshua, as it constituted for some time the abiding foothold in Canaan, from where he sallied forth to subdue the country. It was also the place of safety where the ark, and no doubt also the women,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:18

Joshua 4:18. The waters of Jordan returned They had stood on a heap while the ark was in the river, but came tumbling down when it was removed, which showed to a demonstration that it was to God’s presence with them, and to this only, that they owed this miraculous mercy. “Some have observed here, by way of allusion,” says Henry, “that when the ark, and the priests that bear it,” (the word and ordinance of God and his ministers,) “are removed from any place, the flood-gates are drawn up,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:19

Joshua 4:19. On the tenth day of the first month Namely, of Nisan, which wanted but five days of forty years from the time of their coming out of Egypt, which was on the fifteenth day of this month. So punctual is God in the performing of his word, whether promised or threatened. And this day was very seasonable for the taking up of the lambs which were to be used four days after, according to the law, Exodus 12:3; Exodus 12:6. Gilgal A place afterward so called, Joshua 5:9. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:20

Joshua 4:20. In Gilgal Probably in order, like so many little pillars, to keep up the remembrance of this miraculous benefit. Gilgal was situate between Jordan and Jericho, and, according to Josephus, was ten furlongs from the city, and fifty from the river. Joshua had his camp there during all the time that the war lasted, and till the division of the country among the tribes. There the Israelites were circumcised; there they celebrated the passover for the first time in the land of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:22

Joshua 4:22. Ye shall let your children know We may learn from the injunction given here, and on many other occasions, that it is our indispensable duty to make our children well acquainted with the historical as well as doctrinal truths of religion, from the earliest accounts we have of them in the Holy Scriptures; that by this means a foundation may be laid for their faith, and they may be trained up in the knowledge of God, and of what he has declared to men, and done for them; that from... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:23

Joshua 4:23. Which he dried up from before us That is, not only before Joshua himself and Caleb, then alive and present, but before the whole nation of the Israelites. For this benefit done to their fathers is justly said to be done to themselves, both because they were then in their parents’ loins, and because it was intended to redound to their advantage, and that of their posterity, to the latest generations. It greatly magnifies later mercies to compare them with former mercies; so,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 4:24

Joshua 4:24. That all the people of the earth might know, &c. Although this may primarily mean the neighbouring nations, yet there is great reason to think that both this and Exodus 9:16, That my name may be declared throughout all the earth, had a prophetic aspect, and looked to distant ages, even to the end of time, and to all the nations on the face of the earth; to whom these wonderful facts should bear witness of the true God, as well as to the surrounding nations. And when we... read more

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