Bible Commentaries
Joshua 4

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 4:1, Twelve men are appointed to take twelve stones for a memorial out of Jordan; Joshua 4:9, Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan; Joshua 4:10, The people pass over; Joshua 4:14, God magnifies Joshua; Joshua 4:15, The priests commanded to come out of Jordan; Joshua 4:20, The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal.

Verse 1

were clean passed: Joshua 3:17, Deuteronomy 27:2

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:10 - But when

Verse 2

twelve men: Joshua 3:12, Numbers 1:4-15, Numbers 13:2, Numbers 34:18, Deuteronomy 1:23, 1 Kings 18:31, Matthew 10:1-5

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:4 - according Joshua 4:4 - prepared Joshua 4:8 - did so as Joshua Joshua 18:4 - three

Verse 3

the priests feet: Joshua 3:13

twelve stones: Joshua 24:27, Genesis 28:22, Deuteronomy 27:1-26, 1 Samuel 7:12, Psalms 103:2, Psalms 11:4, Luke 19:40

leave them: Joshua 4:8, Joshua 4:19, Joshua 4:20

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:4 - according Joshua 3:17 - stood firm Joshua 24:26 - set it 1 Kings 18:31 - twelve stones Ecclesiastes 3:5 - to cast Luke 3:8 - of these

Verse 4

prepared: Joshua 4:2, Mark 3:14-19

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 18:31 - twelve stones

Verse 5

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:46 - Gather Deuteronomy 9:1 - to pass Joshua 22:10 - built

Verse 6

a sign: Joshua 22:27, Exodus 12:14, Exodus 13:9, Exodus 31:13, Numbers 16:38, Isaiah 55:13, Ezekiel 20:12, Ezekiel 20:20

when your: Joshua 4:21, Exodus 12:26, Exodus 12:27, Exodus 13:14, Deuteronomy 6:20, Deuteronomy 6:21, Deuteronomy 11:19, Psalms 44:1, Psalms 71:18, Psalms 78:3-8, Isaiah 38:19, Acts 2:39

in time to come: Heb. to-morrow

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them Joshua 4:7 - memorial Joshua 22:24 - In time to come Psalms 78:4 - showing Psalms 111:4 - He hath Psalms 119:27 - so shall I talk Ezekiel 17:12 - Know Joel 1:3 - General Ephesians 6:4 - but

Verse 7

the waters: Joshua 3:13-16

memorial: Joshua 4:6, Exodus 12:14, Exodus 28:12, Exodus 30:16, Numbers 16:40, Psalms 111:4, Isaiah 66:3, *marg. 1 Corinthians 11:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:26 - your children Exodus 17:14 - memorial Exodus 39:7 - a memorial Numbers 10:10 - a memorial Numbers 10:33 - the ark Numbers 31:54 - a memorial Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them Deuteronomy 6:20 - when thy son 1 Samuel 1:22 - for ever 1 Samuel 4:3 - the ark 1 Samuel 17:54 - took the head 1 Chronicles 15:29 - as the ark Esther 9:28 - the memorial Psalms 78:4 - showing Psalms 119:27 - so shall I talk Joel 1:3 - General Zechariah 6:14 - a memorial Ephesians 6:4 - but

Verse 8

did so as Joshua: Joshua 4:2-5, Joshua 1:16-18

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:4 - according Joshua 4:3 - leave them Joshua 4:20 - General 1 Samuel 15:12 - he set him 1 Samuel 17:54 - took the head

Verse 9

set up twelve: Exodus 24:12, Exodus 28:21, 1 Kings 18:31, Psalms 111:2-4

and they are there: These words might be written by Joshua at the close of his life, or perhaps be added by some later prophet. It seems from this verse, that there were two sorts of stones erected as a memorial of this great event: twelve at Gilgal - Joshua 4:20, and twelve in the bed of the Jordan; which last might have been placed on a base of strong stone work, so high as always to be visible, and serve to mark the very spot where the priests stood with the ark. Drs. Kennicott and Shuckford, however, would read here with the Syriac, mittoch, "from the midst," instead of bethoch, "in the midst;" and render, "And Joshua took up the twelve stones - taken from the midst of Jordan," etc. But this reading is unsupported by any manuscript yet collated; and it appears wholly unnecessary. Genesis 26:33, Deuteronomy 34:6, Judges 1:26, 1 Samuel 30:25, 2 Samuel 4:3, 2 Chronicles 5:9, Matthew 27:8, Matthew 28:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:4 - according Deuteronomy 10:5 - there they Joshua 3:12 - General Joshua 6:25 - unto Joshua 8:28 - unto this day Joshua 10:27 - until this very day 1 Samuel 7:12 - took a stone 1 Samuel 15:12 - he set him 1 Kings 8:3 - the priests took up 1 Kings 8:8 - unto this day 1 Kings 12:19 - unto this day 1 Chronicles 13:11 - to this day 2 Chronicles 10:19 - unto this day

Verse 10

stood in the midst: Joshua 3:13, Joshua 3:16, Joshua 3:17, Isaiah 28:16

Moses: Numbers 27:21-23, Deuteronomy 31:9

hasted: Exodus 12:39, Psalms 119:60, Proverbs 27:1, Ecclesiastes 9:10, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:16 - General Numbers 4:15 - after that Joshua 3:3 - the priests Joshua 8:33 - priests Joshua 24:11 - And ye Daniel 3:26 - come forth Matthew 2:13 - until

Verse 11

that the ark: Joshua 4:18, Joshua 3:8, Joshua 3:17

Verse 12

the children: Joshua 1:14, Numbers 32:20-32

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:34 - Manasseh Numbers 32:17 - General Numbers 32:27 - thy servants Deuteronomy 3:18 - I commanded Deuteronomy 12:10 - But when Deuteronomy 33:21 - he came Joshua 13:8 - Moses gave 1 Chronicles 5:18 - four and forty

Verse 13

prepared for war: or, ready armed, Ephesians 6:11

to the plains: Joshua 5:10, 2 Kings 25:5, Jeremiah 39:5, Jeremiah 52:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:16 - General Numbers 32:17 - General Numbers 32:20 - General Deuteronomy 3:18 - I commanded Deuteronomy 33:21 - he came Joshua 6:7 - that is armed 1 Chronicles 5:18 - four and forty

Verse 14

magnified: Joshua 1:16-18, Joshua 3:7, 1 Corinthians 10:2

they feared him: Exodus 14:31, 1 Samuel 12:18, 1 Kings 3:28, 2 Chronicles 30:12, Proverbs 24:21, Romans 13:4

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 31:3 - and Joshua 2 Kings 2:15 - bowed 1 Chronicles 29:25 - magnified Solomon Luke 1:15 - great

Verse 16

Joshua 3:3-6, Exodus 25:16-22, Revelation 11:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:16 - General 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing Daniel 3:26 - come forth

Verse 17

Come ye up: Genesis 8:16-18, Daniel 3:26, Acts 16:23, Acts 16:35-39

Verse 18

the soles: Joshua 3:13, Joshua 3:15

lifted up: Heb. plucked up

that the waters: As soon as the priests and the ark were come up out of Jordan, the waters of the river, which had stood on a heap, flowed down according to their natural and usual course, and again soon filled the channel. This make it abundantly evident, that the miraculous change which had been given to the river was not from any secret natural cause, but solely by the power of God, and for the sake of his chosen people; for when Israel's host had passed through, and the token of his presence was removed, immediately the waters went forward again, so that if it be asked, "What aileth thee, O Jordan, that thou wast driven back?" it must be answered, it was in obedience to the God of Israel, and in kindness to the Israel of God. Exodus 14:26-28

and flowed: Heb. went, Joshua 3:15, 1 Chronicles 12:15, Isaiah 8:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:27 - and the sea Joshua 4:11 - that the ark Joshua 8:33 - priests Habakkuk 3:10 - the overflowing Matthew 2:13 - until

Verse 19

first month: Exodus 12:2, Exodus 12:3

Gilgal: That is, the place afterwards called Gilgal; for it is so called here by anticipation. It was about ten furlongs east from Jericho, and fifty west from the Jordan. See Josephus and Calmet. Joshua 5:9, Joshua 10:6, Joshua 10:43, Joshua 15:7, 1 Samuel 11:14, 1 Samuel 11:15, 1 Samuel 15:33, Amos 4:4, Amos 5:5, Micah 6:5

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 9:1 - to pass Joshua 4:3 - leave them Joshua 12:23 - Gilgal Joshua 14:6 - Gilgal 2 Kings 2:1 - Gilgal Hosea 9:15 - is in

Verse 20

Joshua 4:3, Joshua 4:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:46 - Gather Exodus 24:4 - according Joshua 4:9 - and they are there Joshua 24:26 - set it Judges 3:19 - quarries 1 Samuel 7:12 - took a stone 1 Kings 18:31 - twelve stones Isaiah 19:20 - for a

Verse 21

When your: Joshua 4:6, Psalms 105:2-5, Psalms 145:4-7

in time to come: Heb. to-morrow

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:26 - your children Exodus 13:14 - thy son Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them Deuteronomy 6:20 - when thy son Psalms 78:4 - showing Psalms 111:4 - He hath Isaiah 19:20 - for a Isaiah 38:19 - the father Ezekiel 17:12 - Know Joel 1:3 - General Ephesians 6:4 - but

Verse 22

Joshua 3:17, Exodus 14:29, Exodus 15:19, Psalms 66:5, Psalms 66:6, Isaiah 11:15, Isaiah 11:16, Isaiah 44:27, Isaiah 51:10, Revelation 16:12

Reciprocal: Psalms 90:16 - and Isaiah 38:19 - the father Joel 1:3 - General

Verse 23

as the Lord: The parents must take that occasion to tell their children of the drying up of the Red Sea forty years before: "As the Lord your God did to the Red Sea." It greatly magnifies later mercies to compare them with those before enjoyed; for, by making the comparison, it appears that God is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Later blessings should also bring to remembrance former mercies, and revive thankfulness for them.

which he dried: Exodus 14:21, Nehemiah 9:11, Psalms 77:16-19, Psalms 78:13, Isaiah 43:16, Isaiah 63:12-14

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:1 - that I Joshua 24:11 - And ye Habakkuk 3:10 - the overflowing 1 Corinthians 10:1 - and all

Verse 24

all the people: Exodus 9:16, Deuteronomy 28:10, 1 Samuel 17:46, 1 Kings 8:42, 1 Kings 8:43, 2 Kings 5:15, 2 Kings 19:19, Psalms 106:8, Daniel 3:26-29, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 4:35, Daniel 6:26, Daniel 6:27

that it is: Exodus 15:16, 1 Chronicles 29:12, Psalms 89:13

ye might: Exodus 14:31, Exodus 20:20, Deuteronomy 6:2, Psalms 76:6-8, Psalms 89:7, Jeremiah 10:6, Jeremiah 10:7, Jeremiah 32:40

for ever: Heb. all days

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:1 - that I Joshua 2:10 - For we 1 Kings 8:60 - That all Daniel 4:32 - until Habakkuk 3:10 - the overflowing