Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Joshua Chapter 4
Overview
Jos 4:1, Twelve men are appointed to take twelve stones for a memorial out of Jordan; Jos 4:9, Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan; Jos 4:10, The people pass over; Jos 4:14, God magnifies Joshua; Jos 4:15, The priests commanded to come out of Jordan; Jos 4:20, The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal.
were clean passed: Jos 3:17; Deu 27:2
twelve men: Jos 3:12; Num 1:4-15, Num 13:2, Num 34:18; Deu 1:23; Kg1 18:31; Mat 10:1-5
the priests feet: Jos 3:13
twelve stones: Jos 24:27; Gen 28:22; Deut. 27:1-26; Sa1 7:12; Psa 103:2, Psa 11:4; Luk 19:40
leave them: Jos 4:8, Jos 4:19, Jos 4:20
prepared: Jos 4:2; Mar 3:14-19
a sign: Jos 22:27; Exo 12:14, Exo 13:9, Exo 31:13; Num 16:38; Isa 55:13; Eze 20:12, Eze 20:20
when your: Jos 4:21; Exo 12:26, Exo 12:27, Exo 13:14; Deu 6:20, Deu 6:21, Deu 11:19; Psa 44:1, Psa 71:18, Psa 78:3-8; Isa 38:19; Act 2:39
in time to come: Heb. to-morrow
the waters: Jos 3:13-16
memorial: Jos 4:6; Exo 12:14, Exo 28:12, Exo 30:16; Num 16:40; Psa 111:4; Isa 66:3 *marg. Co1 11:24
did so as Joshua: Jos 4:2-5, Jos 1:16-18
set up twelve: Exo 24:12, Exo 28:21; Kg1 18:31; Psa 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 (Jos 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. Gen 26:33; Deu 34:6; Jdg 1:26; Sa1 30:25; Sa2 4:3; Ch2 5:9; Mat 27:8; Mat 28:15
stood in the midst: Jos 3:13, Jos 3:16, Jos 3:17; Isa 28:16
Moses: Num 27:21-23; Deu 31:9
hasted: Exo 12:39; Psa 119:60; Pro 27:1; Ecc 9:10; Co2 6:2; Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8
that the ark: Jos 4:18, Jos 3:8, Jos 3:17
the children: Jos 1:14; Num 32:20-32
prepared for war: or, ready armed, Eph 6:11
to the plains: Jos 5:10; Kg2 25:5; Jer 39:5, Jer 52:8
magnified: Jos 1:16-18, Jos 3:7; Co1 10:2
they feared him: Exo 14:31; Sa1 12:18; Kg1 3:28; Ch2 30:12; Pro 24:21; Rom 13:4
Jos 3:3-6; Exo 25:16-22; Rev 11:19
Come ye up: Gen 8:16-18; Dan 3:26; Act 16:23, Act 16:35-39
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. Exo 14:26-28
and flowed: Heb. went, Jos 3:15; Ch1 12:15; Isa 8:8
first month: Exo 12:2, Exo 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. Jos 5:9, Jos 10:6, Jos 10:43, Jos 15:7; Sa1 11:14, Sa1 11:15, Sa1 15:33; Amo 4:4, Amo 5:5; Mic 6:5
When your: Jos 4:6; Psa 105:2-5, Psa 145:4-7
in time to come: Heb. to-morrow
Jos 3:17; Exo 14:29, Exo 15:19; Psa 66:5, Psa 66:6; Isa 11:15, Isa 11:16, Isa 44:27, Isa 51:10; Rev 16:12
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: Exo 14:21; Neh 9:11; Psa 77:16-19, Psa 78:13; Isa 43:16, Isa 63:12-14
all the people: Exo 9:16; Deu 28:10; Sa1 17:46; Kg1 8:42, Kg1 8:43; Kg2 5:15, Kg2 19:19; Psa 106:8; Dan 3:26-29, Dan 4:34, Dan 4:35, Dan 6:26, Dan 6:27
that it is: Exo 15:16; Ch1 29:12; Psa 89:13
ye might: Exo 14:31, Exo 20:20; Deu 6:2; Psa 76:6-8, Psa 89:7; Jer 10:6, Jer 10:7, Jer 32:40
for ever: Heb. all days