Joshua 2
DOYLYChap. III. ver. 1.—early in the morning.] The morning of the last of the three days mentioned at chap. i. 11.
The distance from Shittim to Jordan is, according to most opinions, seven miles. Bp. Patrick.
— Adam, — Zaretan.] The waters rose in a heap “very far from the city Adam,” which was probably situated at a short distance above the place where the ark was. As this was but a small place, its situation is further described by adding, “that is beside Zaretan,” being a place of greater note. Dr. Wells. The place where the Israelites passed the Jordan was called Bethahara, or “the place of passage,” in our Saviour’s time, John i. 28. Bp. Patrick.
Chap. IV. ver. 3. — Take you — out of the midst of Jordan, — twelve stones.] It appears that the Jordan continued perfectly dry for some time after the Israelites had passed over; that is, till the priests removed from the place where they stood. They were to take twelve stones—great stones, as the Hebrew word imports, as big as they could well lift, and carry them to their lodging-place, that is, to Gilgal, the place where they lodged that night. Bp. Patrick.
Joshua 2:3
3.—priests the Levites] Those of the tribe of Levi, who were priests. The Kohathites had generally the charge of the ark, Numb. iii. 28; iv. 15; but now, on this occasion, the priests are appointed to it. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells.
3.—and go after it.] The ark, which in their former marches was generally wont to go in the middle of the camp, Numb. ii. 17, &c. is now appointed to go in front, to lead and direct their course, in the same man-
ner as the cloud of glory (which had now left them) used to do; and, as the cloud was wont to keep at some distance before the camp, so it was now ordered, that the ark should be followed at the distance of 2000 cubits, (about 800 or 1000 yards,) as the only remaining symbol of the Divine guidance through the unknown passages of the river. Pyle.
Joshua 2:5
5.—Sanctify yourselves.] They were commanded to prepare themselves, by the means of sanctification, usual on extraordinary occasions, (see Numb. xi. 18; Exod. xix. 10,) for receiving the Divine benefits with proper feelings and meditations. Bp. Patrick.
Joshua 2:10
10.—Hereby ye shall know that the living God &c.] Hereby, that is, by the miraculous passage God is about to make for you through Jordan, ye shall know that the living God, that is, the only true God, who has life of Himself, and is the Fountain or Giver of life to all things, is among you. Dr. Wells.
The waters of Jordan divide. Twelve stones are set up men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
Joshua 2:13
- — it shall come to pass.] He tells them of the miracle beforehand, that they might not attribute it to any accidental cause, but solely to God’s providence and power. Dr. S. Clarke.
Joshua 2:15
- — harvest.] This is meant of barley harvest, which began about the passover: the snows now melted from the neighbouring mountains, particularly of Lebanon, at the foot of which are the springs of Jordan. By this overflowing of the river, the miracle was increased. Bp. Patrick. No modern traveller has seen the Jordan in its state of overflowing. Mr. Maundrell observed that this river has two banks, the first and outermost of which appears to be that to which the overflow reaches. He says, that, after having descended the outermost bank, they had to go about a furlong on the level strand, before they came to the immediate bank of the river. Now, as the river certainly formed the outermost bank by its inundation, this bank is a lasting testimony that it sometimes overflows. As each bank is about a furlong from the bed of the river, and the river about twenty yards across, we thus get the breadth of water crossed by the Israelites. In proportion as the swelling of Jordan was rare, and the security of the Canaanites increased by it, the passage of the river by the Israelites was a more illustrious instance of Divine interposition. Script. illust.
Joshua 2:16
- — rose up upon an heap] The waters above were made to stand still, rising in a heap, as if they were congealed. Bp. Patrick. As it is usual for waters to do when they are stopt by any common dam. Dr. Wells. The passage of this deep and rapid, though not wide river, at the most unfavourable season, was more manifestly miraculous, if possible, than that of the “Red sea.” It seems therefore to have been providentially designed to silence cavils respecting the former; and it