Joshua 4
4:2 a The twelve men represented Jacob’s twelve sons. The tribe of Levi was not counted because the Levites settled in designated cities among the other tribes (Gen 49:5-7 b; Num 1:49-52 c; 18:20 d). However, the number of tribes remained at twelve because Joseph’s two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) were accounted as separate tribes (Gen 48:5 e).4:5 f Carrying the stone on a shoulder implies that the men each chose stones weighing some 100 pounds.
4:6 g Joshua twice (4:21 h) told the Israelites to prepare to answer future generations. The stone memorial would serve as a teaching aid.
4:9 i A second memorial of twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan was submerged as soon as the river resumed its flow. The monument’s top would be visible in the dry summer seasons.
• Their existence to this day indicates that the memorials stood for generations, until the final editing of the book (see Joshua Book Introduction, “Author and Date”).
4:14 j Now that God had brought the Israelites safely across the Jordan River, Israel recognized God’s presence with Joshua as a great leader and revered him as much as they had revered Moses. Their confidence in Joshua would be crucial in the years ahead.
4:18 k After Israel crossed the river, the Jordan overflowed its banks as before. These events could not occur without God’s intervention.
Summary for Josh 4:19-20: 4:19-20 l The tenth day of the first month occurred a few days before Passover.
• Gilgal became an important worship center for early Israel. Although its location is uncertain, it was somewhere just east or northeast of Jericho. Its name (which means “wheel of a cart,” cp. Isa 28:28 m) implies that Joshua set the twelve stones in a circle (cp. study note on Josh 5:9).
4:24 n In addition to future generations of Israelites, all the nations of the earth were to understand God’s power. At least some individuals in every group respond to the God who cares for them (Rev 7:9-10 o).
Copyright information for
TNotes