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Joshua 4:1

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 4:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, when all the nation were clean passed over the Jordan, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, when all the nation were clean passed over the Jordan, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,
Joshua 4:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass, when all the nation were clean passed over the Jordan, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,
2Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
3and command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests` feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging-place, where ye shall lodge this night.
4Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
← Joshua 3:17Joshua 4:2 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, etc.] As related, (<060317>Joshua 3:17); that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying: as follows.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“TWELVE STONES TAKEN FOR A MEMORIAL OUT OF JORDAN. (Jos 4:1-8) the Lord spake unto Joshua, Take you twelve men--each representing a tribe. They had been previously chosen for this service (Jos 3:12), and the repetition of the command is made here solely to introduce the account of its execution. Though Joshua had been divinely instructed to erect a commemorative pile, the representatives were not apprised of the work they were to do till the time of the passage.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Spake - This was commanded before, Jos 3:12, and is here repeated with enlargement, as being now to be put in execution. Joshua 4:2”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“were clean passed: Jos 3:17; Deu 27:2 Joshua 4:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Crossing the River. - In the account of the crossing, the main point is their taking twelve stones with them from the bed of the river to the opposite side to serve as a memorial. To set forth the importance of this fact as a divine appointment, the command of God to Joshua is mentioned first of all ( Jos 4:2, Jos 4:3); then the repetition of this command by Joshua to the men appointed for the work ( Jos 4:4-7); and lastly, the carrying out of the instructions ( Jos 4:8). This makes it appear as though God did not give the command to Joshua till after the people had all crossed over, whereas the twelve men had already been chosen for the purpose ( Jos 3:12). But this appearance, and the…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification