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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 1:10-13

Joshua, being settled in the government, immediately applies himself to business; not to take state or to take his pleasure, but to further the work of God among, the people over whom God had set him. As he that desires the office of a minister (1 Tim. 3:1), so he that desires the office of a magistrate, desires a work, a good work; neither is preferred to be idle. I. He issues out orders to the people to provide for a march; and they had been so long encamped in their present post that it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:10

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people ,.... The same word is used in Deuteronomy 16:18 ; where it seems to design such officers that attended on the judges, and executed their orders; but one would think it should here rather signify officers in the army, as captains, and the like; unless it should design a sort of heralds, who were to make proclamation throughout the camp, each of the orders issued by Joshua, immediately upon his having the above directions and instructions... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:11

Pass through the host ,.... The whole camp of Israel, consisting of six hundred thousand fighting men: and command the people ; even all the people of Israel; this includes women as well as men, for the one, as well as the other, were to do what follows, and especially it may seem the business of the former: saying, prepare ye victuals ; this must be understood; as Kimchi observes, of other sorts of food besides bread; for they had manna, the bread of heaven, which fell about their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:10

Commanded the officers - שטרים shoterim . These were different from the שפטים shophetim , who were judges among the people, and whose business it was to determine in all civil cases. The shoterim have been supposed to be subordinate officers, whose business it was to see the decisions of the shophetim carried into effect. Calmet conjectures that the shoterim here may have been the heralds of the army like those so often met with in Homer, who were called the messengers both... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:11

Prepare you victuals - צדה tsedah , such prey or provisions as they had taken from the conquered countries, such as corn, oxen, sheep, etc.; for the word signifies prey, or what is taken by hunting, etc. This was necessary, as they were about to undergo considerable fatigue in marching, and in making preparations for the passage of the Jordan; for although the manna had not ceased to fall, yet such other provisions as are mentioned above were necessary on this occasion. For ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:10

Verse 10 10.Then Joshua commanded (25) etc It may be doubted whether or not this proclamation was made after the spies were sent, and of course on their return. And certainly I think it not only probable, but I am fully convinced that it was only after their report furnished him with the knowledge he required, that he resolved to move his camp. It would have been preposterous haste to hurry on an unknown path, while he considered it expedient to be informed on many points before setting foot on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:10

EXPOSITION JOSHUA 'S COMMAND TO THE PEOPLE ,— Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people. The Shoterim, a term derived from the same root as an Arabic word signifying "to write." Different ideas have been entertained of their duties. Keil, Jahn ( Hebrew Commonwealth ) , and others believe that they were genealogists; but it seems more probable that their original duties were to keep processes and minutes, and that, like our Indian "writers" and the "Master of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:10-15

Joshua's command to the people. I. WE MUST WORK WITH THE GRACE OF GOD . All these promises of God were not intended to supersede human effort. God had promised to be with Joshua, but Joshua must act on the promise. He had promised to plant the people in the Holy Land, but not without exertion on their part. Where their own action was impossible, as in crossing the Jordan, He did all for them. When a sign of His presence with them was necessary, as at Jericho, He did... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:10-18

Joshua and the Reubenites. The Reubenites and Gadites had already settled on the banks of the Jordan. They were at rest; they had not to await the ordeal of the conquest. As far as they were concerned, they had already received the promise. And yet they were not to be allowed to remain in idleness, and in selfish enjoyment of their own good. They were not to forget their brethren. "Ye shall pass before your brethren armed," said Joshua, "and help them." "And they answered Joshua, saying,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:11

Prepare you victuals. Literally, game, the term being applied to meat obtained by hunting. Thus it is applied by Isaac to Esau's venison in Genesis 27:1-46 . Here it means food of any kind, but especially animal food. It is therefore obvious that the miraculous supply of manna was soon to cease (cf. Joshua 5:12 ). Within three days. Much difficulty has been created here by the fact that another three days are mentioned in Genesis 3:2 as elapsing after the return of the spies,... read more

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