Jos 4:2-8 | TNotes | STEP | 4:2 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 ; Num 1:49-52 ; 18:20 ). However, the number of tribes remained at twelve because Joseph’s two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) were accounted as separate tribes (Gen 48:5 ).

a4:2►

bGen 49:5-7►

cNum 1:49-52►

d18:20►

eGen 48:5►

f4:5►

g4:6►

h4:21►

‏ Joshua 4:2-8

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.