Teks -- Joshua 4:1-10 (NET)

Israel Commemorates the Crossing

4:1 When the entire nation was on the other side, the Lord told Joshua, 4:2 “Select for yourselves twelve men from the people, one per tribe. 4:3 Instruct them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests stand firmly, and carry them over with you and put them in the place where you camp tonight.’” 4:4 Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one per tribe. 4:5 Joshua told them, “Go in front of the ark of the Lord your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the Israelite tribes. 4:6 The stones will be a reminder to you. When your children ask someday, ‘Why are these stones important to you?’ 4:7 tell them how the water of the Jordan stopped flowing before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped flowing. These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites.” 4:8 The Israelites did just as Joshua commanded. They picked up twelve stones, according to the number of the Israelite tribes, from the middle of the Jordan as the Lord had instructed Joshua. They carried them over with them to the camp and put them there. 4:9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan in the very place where the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stood. They remain there to this very day. 4:10 Now the priests carrying the ark of the covenant were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people was accomplished, in accordance with all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people went across quickly,

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Jos 4:1 - Spake

This was commanded before, Jos 3:12, and is here repeated with enlargement, as being now to be put in execution.

Wesley: Jos 4:2 - Out of every tribe a man

For the greater evidence, and the more effectual spreading the report of this marvellous work among all the tribes.

Wesley: Jos 4:3 - Lodge this night

That is, in Gilgal, as is expressed below, Jos 4:19-20.

Wesley: Jos 4:4 - Prepared

That is, appointed for that work, and commanded to be ready for it.

Wesley: Jos 4:5 - Before the ark

That is, go back again to the place where the ark stands.

Wesley: Jos 4:6 - A sign

A monument or memorial of this day's work.

Wesley: Jos 4:9 - Twelve stones

These stones are not the same with those which a man could carry upon his shoulder, Jos 4:5. They might be very much larger; and being set up in two rows one above another, might be seen, at least when the water was low, especially where it was shallow, as it was ordinarily, though not at this time, when Jordan overflowed all its banks. Add to this, that the waters of Jordan are very clear; therefore these stones might be seen in it, either by those who stood upon the shore, because the river was not broad; or by those that passed in boats.

Wesley: Jos 4:9 - Unto this day

This might be written, either by Joshua who probably wrote this book near 20 years after this was done: or, by some other holy man divinely inspired, who inserted this and some such passages both in this book and in the writings of Moses.

Wesley: Jos 4:10 - Commanded Joshua

Not particularly, but in general; because he commanded Joshua to observe and do all that God had commanded him by Moses, and all that he should command him any other way.

Wesley: Jos 4:10 - Hasted

That is, passed over with haste, an argument of their fear, or weakness of their faith; as on the contrary, the priests are commended that they stood firm, and settled in their minds, as well as in the posture of their bodies.

JFB: Jos 4:1-3 - 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.

JFB: Jos 4:4-5 - Joshua called the twelve men

They had probably, from a feeling of reverence, kept back, and were standing on the eastern bank. They were now ordered to advance. Picking up each a stone, probably as large as he could carry, from around the spot "where the priests stood," they pass over before the ark and deposit the stones in the place of next encampment (Jos 4:19-20), namely, Gilgal.

JFB: Jos 4:6-7 - That this may be a sign among you

The erection of cairns, or huge piles of stones, as monuments of remarkable incidents has been common among all people, especially in the early and rude periods of their history. They are the established means of perpetuating the memory of important transactions, especially among the nomadic people of the East. Although there be no inscription engraved on them, the history and object of such simple monuments are traditionally preserved from age to age. Similar was the purpose contemplated by the conveyance of the twelve stones to Gilgal: it was that they might be a standing record to posterity of the miraculous passage of the Jordan.

JFB: Jos 4:8 - the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded

That is, it was done by their twelve representatives.

JFB: Jos 4:9 - Joshua set up twelve stones . . . in the place where the feet of the priests . . . stood

In addition to the memorial just described, there was another memento of the miraculous event, a duplicate of the former, set up in the river itself, on the very spot where the ark had rested. This heap of stones might have been a large and compactly built one and visible in the ordinary state of the river. As nothing is said where these stones were obtained, some have imagined that they might have been gathered in the adjoining fields and deposited by the people as they passed the appointed spot.

JFB: Jos 4:9 - they are there unto this day

At least twenty years after the event, if we reckon by the date of this history (Jos 24:26), and much later, if the words in the latter clause were inserted by Samuel or Ezra.

JFB: Jos 4:10 - the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan

This position was well calculated to animate the people, who probably crossed below the ark, as well as to facilitate Joshua's execution of the minutest instructions respecting the passage (Num 27:21-23). The unfaltering confidence of the priests contrasts strikingly with the conduct of the people, who "hasted and passed over." Their faith, like that of many of God's people, was, through the weakness of nature, blended with fears. But perhaps their "haste" may be viewed in a more favorable light, as indicating the alacrity of their obedience, or it might have been enjoined in order that the the whole multitude might pass in one day.

Clarke: Jos 4:2 - Take you twelve men

Take you twelve men - From Jos 3:12, it appears that the twelve men had been before appointed, one taken out of each of the twelve tribes; and now they are employed for that purpose for which they had been before selected.

Clarke: Jos 4:3 - Where ye shall lodge this night

Where ye shall lodge this night - This was in the place that was afterwards called Gilgal. See Jos 4:19.

Clarke: Jos 4:4 - Twelve men, whom he had prepared

Twelve men, whom he had prepared - This must refer to their appointment, Jos 3:12.

Clarke: Jos 4:6 - This may be a sign

This may be a sign - Stand as a continual memorial of this miraculous passage, and consequently a proof of their lasting obligation to God.

Clarke: Jos 4:9 - And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan - It seems from this chapter that there were two sets of stones erected as a memorial of this great event; twelve at Gilgal, Jos 4:20 and twelve in the bed of Jordan, Jos 4:9. The twelve stones in the bed of Jordan might have been so 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. The twelve stones set up at Gilgal would stand as a monument of the place of the first encampment after this miraculous passage. Though this appears to me to be the meaning of this place, yet Dr. Kennicott’ s criticism here should not be passed by. "It is well known,"says he, "that when Joshua led the Israelites over Jordan, he was commanded to take twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, to be a memorial that the ground in the very midst of that river had been made dry. But where was this memorial to be set up? The ninth verse says; Joshua set up these stones In the midst of Jordan. But is it likely that the stones should be placed or set down where they were taken up; and that the memorial should be erected there where, when the river was again united, it would be concealed, and of course could be no memorial at all? This however flatly contradicts the rest of the chapter, which says these stones were pitched in Gilgal, where Israel lodged in Canaan for the first time. The solution of this difficulty is, that בתוך bethoch In the midst, should be here מתוך mittoch , From the midst, as in Jos 4:3, Jos 4:8, Jos 4:20, and as the word is here also in the Syrian version. The true rendering therefore is, And Joshua set up the twelve stones (taken) From the midst of Jordan,"etc. I confess I see no need for this criticism, which is not supported by a single MS. either in his own or De Rossi’ s collection, though they amount to four hundred and ninety-four in number. Twelve stones might be gathered in different parts of the bed of the Jordan, and be set up as a pillar in another, and be a continual visible memorial of this grand event. And if twelve were set up in Gilgal as a memorial of their first encampment in Canaan, it is still more likely that twelve would be set up in the bed of the river to show where it had been divided, and the place where the whole Israelitish host had passed over dry-shod. The reader may follow the opinion he judges most likely.

Clarke: Jos 4:10 - And the people hasted and passed over

And the people hasted and passed over - How very natural is this circumstance! The people seeing the waters divided, and Jordan running back, might be apprehensive that it would soon resume its wonted course; and this would naturally lead them to hasten to get over, with as much speed as possible. The circumstance itself thus marked is a proof that the relater was an eyewitness of this miraculous passage.

Calvin: Jos 4:1 - And it came to pass,

l.And it came to pass, etc The brief and obscure allusion previously made with regard to the twelve men he now explains more at length. He had said that they were chosen by the order of God, one each from his own tribe; but breaking off his discourse, he had not mentioned for what purpose. He now says, that by command of Joshua ⁴⁷ they took up twelve stones and placed them in Gilgal, that a well marked memorial might exist among posterity. Moreover, as he only relates what was done after the passage of the people, what is interposed should be interpreted as in the pluperfect tense. ⁴⁸ It is also very obvious that the copula is used instead of the rational particle. ⁴⁹ The substance is, that before the priests moved their foot from the middle of the river where they stood, the stones at their feet were taken and placed in Gilgal, to be perpetual witnesses of the miracle, and that Joshua thus faithfully executed what God had commanded. Joshua, therefore, called the men whom he had previously chosen, but not without the command of God, that through it he might have a stronger attestation to his authority. For had Joshua raised up a trophy of that kind of his own accord, the piety which dictated it might indeed have been laudable, but the admonition founded only on the will of man might perhaps have been despised. But now when God himself raises the sign, it is impious to pass it carelessly by. He intimates, accordingly, that it was a monument deserving of the greatest attention when he introduces the children asking, what mean these stones?

Calvin: Jos 4:7 - Then you shall answer them,

7.Then you shall answer them, etc Although the stones themselves cannot speak, yet the monument furnished the parents with materials for speaking, and for making the kindness of God known to their children. And here zealous endeavors to propagate piety are required of the aged, ⁵⁰ and they are enjoined to exert themselves in instructing their children. For it was the will of God that this doctrine should be handed down through every age; that those who were not then born being afterwards instructed by their parents might become witnesses to it from hearing, though they had not seen it with their eyes.

The stones were placed according to the number of the tribes, that each might be incited to gratitude by its own symbol. It is true that two tribes and a half tribe who had obtained their inheritance beyond the Jordan, had not, when considered apart from the others, any occasion for making that passage. But as the land of Canaan was possessed by the others for the common good of the whole race of Abraham, so it behooved those who were all engaged in the same or a common cause not to be separated from each other. And although as yet mention had been made only of twelve men, it is obvious from a short clause, that the divine command had been declared to the whole people; for it is said that the children of Israel obeyed the words of Joshua. Nay, it is even probable that deputies were elected by suffrage to carry the stones in the name of the whole people.

Calvin: Jos 4:9 - And Joshua set up twelve stones,

9.And Joshua set up twelve stones, etc Apparently there was no use of stones under the water, and it may therefore seem to have been absurd to bury stones at a depth. The others which were placed in Gilgal being publicly visible, furnished occasion for inquiry; but stones hidden from the eyes of men at the bottom of the water could have no effect in inciting their minds. I admit that a monument altogether buried in silence would have been useless. ⁵¹ But when they talked among themselves of the evidence of the passage left there, the hearing even of what they did not see, strongly tended to confirm their faith. The ark of the covenant was shut up in the sanctuary and covered by a veil placed over against it, and yet its hidden splendor was not without benefit, when they learned from the Law that the covenant of God was deposited in it. It might also happen, that when the river was low, the tops of the heap would sometimes appear. But what I have already said is more probable, that though Joshua buried the stones in the middle of the stream, he did a useful act by establishing a testimony in presence of the people, which would afterwards become the subject of general conversation.

Calvin: Jos 4:10 - For the priests which bare,

10.For the priests which bare, etc If we are ordered to halt while others are hastening, we know how easily a feeling of irksomeness is produced, because we seem to be occupying an inferior position. The priests, therefore, are justly praised for their patience in calmly remaining alone at their post, while the whole people were swiftly hurrying on to the further bank. For they might have begun to feel doubtful lest the heaps of water which were suspended over their heads might suddenly melt away and engulf them. They therefore evinced their piety no less by remaining there than by venturing to proceed into the opposing current. Thus, in the first place, they displayed their ready obedience, and in the second their constancy, making it manifest that they had not obeyed from mere impulse. For their firmness of purpose, which is praised, must have had its origin in a living principle. It was a proof of modesty that they attempted nothing rashly, but regulated their whole procedure as it were in strict conformity to the word of God.

Although it is probable that Joshua was instructed by a new message from heaven as to what was necessary to be done, he is, however, said to have followed what Moses had commanded. By this I understand that Moses had carefully enjoined him to hang on the lips of God, that he was thoroughly obedient to the injunction, and accordingly was always observant of what was pleasing to God. In short, the command of Moses here mentioned was general, but God gave special injunctions to Joshua as each circumstance arose.

TSK: Jos 4:1 - were clean passed

were clean passed : Jos 3:17; Deu 27:2

TSK: Jos 4:2 - twelve men

twelve men : Jos 3:12; Num 1:4-15, Num 13:2, Num 34:18; Deu 1:23; 1Ki 18:31; Mat 10:1-5

TSK: Jos 4:3 - the priests feet // twelve stones // leave them

the priests feet : Jos 3:13

twelve stones : Jos 24:27; Gen 28:22; Deut. 27:1-26; 1Sa 7:12; Psa 103:2, Psa 11:4; Luk 19:40

leave them : Jos 4:8, Jos 4:19, Jos 4:20

TSK: Jos 4:4 - prepared

prepared : Jos 4:2; Mar 3:14-19

TSK: Jos 4:6 - a sign // when your // in time to come

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

TSK: Jos 4:7 - the waters // memorial

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. 1Co 11:24

TSK: Jos 4:8 - did so as Joshua

did so as Joshua : Jos 4:2-5, Jos 1:16-18

TSK: Jos 4:9 - set up twelve // and they are there

set up twelve : Exo 24:12, Exo 28:21; 1Ki 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 eventcaps1 . tcaps0 welve 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; 1Sa 30:25; 2Sa 4:3; 2Ch 5:9; Mat 27:8; Mat 28:15

TSK: Jos 4:10 - stood in the midst // Moses // hasted

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; 2Co 6:2; Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Jos 4:2

For the greater evidence and certainty, and the more effectual spreading of the report of this marvellous work among all the tribes.

Poole: Jos 4:3 - Out of the midst of Jordan

Out of the midst of Jordan See Poole "Jos 3:17". There ye shall lodge this night, i.e. in Gilgal, as is expressed below, Jos 4:19,20 .

Poole: Jos 4:4 - Prepared

Prepared i.e. appointed or chosen for that work, and commanded them to be ready for it.

Poole: Jos 4:5 - Pass over before the ark

Pass over before the ark i.e. go back again to the place where the ark stands.

Poole: Jos 4:6

A sign; a monument or memorial of this day’ s work.

Poole: Jos 4:7 - Before the ark

Before the ark as it were at the sight and approach of the ark, to give it and the Israelites a safe passage.

Poole: Jos 4:9 - In the midst of Jordan // Quest // Answ // They are there unto this day

In the midst of Jordan properly so called; as Jos 3:17 .

Quest. How could these stones be a monument of this work, when they were not seen, but generally covered with the waters of Jordan?

Answ These stones are not the same with those which a man could carry upon his shoulders, Jos 4:5 , and therefore might be very much larger; and being set up in two rows one above another, they might possibly be seen, at least sometimes when the water was low, and especially where the water was commonly more shallow, as it might be ordinarily in this place, though not at this time, when Jordan overflowed all its banks. Add to this, that the waters of Jordan are said to be very pure and clear; and therefore these stones, though they did not appear above it, might be seen in it, either by those who stood upon the shore, because that river was not broad; or at least by those that passed in boats upon the river, who could easily discern them by the peculiar noise and motion of the water occasioned by that heap of stones. And this was sufficient, especially considering that there was another more distinct and visible monument of this miracle set up in Gilgal.

They are there unto this day: this might be written, either,

1. By Joshua, who wrote this book near twenty years after this was done; or,

2. By some other holy man, divinely inspired and approved of by the whole Jewish church, who inserted this and some such passages, both in this book, and in the writings of Moses.

Poole: Jos 4:10 - To speak unto the people

To speak unto the people i.e. to command the people to do. According to all that Moses commanded Joshua; which he did not particularly, but in the general, because he commanded Joshua to observe and do all that God had commanded him by Moses, and all that he should command him any other way. Hasted and passed over, i.e. passed over with haste; which is noted as an argument of their fear, or weakness of their faith; as, on the contrary, the priests are commended that they stood firm, and fixed, and settled in their minds, as well as in the posture of their bodies.

Haydock: Jos 4:1

Ver 1. Over. Hebrew and Septuagint, "clean, or entirely;" perhaps two million people, with all their possessions, had crossed the river on that day, the 10th of Nisan, leaving many of their brethren to cultivate and defend the eastern parts of the Jordan. (Haydock)

Haydock: Jos 4:2 - Choose

Choose. Hebrew, "take," as [in] chap. iii. 12. Those twelve men were ordered to attend the ark, and to observe the miracle with care: these are chosen to carry the stones for the monuments. (Salien) ---

Calmet supposes that they are the same people, and that the former verse might be translated, "the Lord had said." But this does not agree with the context. Hebrew, "and it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over the Jordan, that the Lord spake." The former injunction was given before they entered the river. Hebrew, "the ark passeth...Now therefore take," &c. (Haydock) ---

One was selected from the tribe of Levi, and one from that of Joseph, so that all the twelve tribes were represented. (Menochius)

Haydock: Jos 4:3 - Hard

Hard. The Hebrew term is referred by some to the priests, "from the station of the priests, prepared, or standing firm," (chap. iii. 17,) by others to the stones, which were to be prepared, hard, or exactly twelve. (Calmet) ---

The Septuagint have take it in the latter sense, "twelve stones ready," or such as they might easily find, in the place where the priests had stood. They were of a flinty nature, (Haydock) that they might perpetuate the memory of this event. (Menochius)

Haydock: Jos 4:5 - Of Israel

Of Israel, who had twelve sons. The same expression occurs [in] Deuteronomy xxxii. 8., and must be explained of the immediate sons of Jacob, without including those grandchildren who might be born before his death. (Haydock)

Haydock: Jos 4:9 - Day

Day. Some hence infer that Josue did not write this book. But surely if he wrote it towards the end of his life, he might well use this expression, (Menochius) as St. Matthew does to denote a shorter term. The twelve stones at Galgal, and in the bed of the Jordan, at Bethabara, (Haydock) were probably each placed apart. See Exodus xxiv. 4. (Menochius) ---

They were still to be seen in the days of St. Jerome. Such monuments were formerly very common, and very useful, to make a lasting impression upon the minds of a gross people. See Genesis xxviii. 18., and Leviticus xxvi. 1.

Haydock: Jos 4:10 - To him // Haste

To him. Moses had been dead forty days. But it seems this miraculous division of the Jordan had been revealed to him, and he had cautioned Josue to let slip no opportunity of attaching the people to God's service, by erecting monuments of religion, as he did on this occasion. (Calmet) ---

Haste. Though they were assured by the divine promise, they experienced a certain fear. (Salien) ---

Even the most constant are liable to such impressions. (Matthew xiv. 30.)

Gill: Jos 4:1 - And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan // that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan,.... As related, Jos 3:17,

that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying: as follows.

Gill: Jos 4:2 - Take you twelve men out of the people // out of every tribe a man

Take you twelve men out of the people,.... Joshua had before this ordered twelve men to be taken from among them, which seems to have been done of himself; and now he has a direction from God for it, and what to employ them in:

out of every tribe a man; so that what they did was in the name of the several tribes, and as representing them.

Gill: Jos 4:3 - And command you them, saying // take you hence out of the midst of Jordan // out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm // twelve stones // and ye shall carry them over with you // and leave them in the lodging place where you shall lodge this night

And command you them, saying,.... As follows:

take you hence out of the midst of Jordan; so that they were obliged to go back into the midst of Jordan, having already passed over it, as appears from Jos 4:1,

out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm; where being stones, they chose to stand upon them, and which were a firm standing for them; and which secured them from the slime and mud at the bottom of the river the waters left behind; though it is not absolutely necessary to understand it that they were to take, and did take, the stones from under their feet, but those that lay about the place where they stood:

twelve stones; each man a stone; and, according to the Samaritan Chronicle ^f, every man inscribed his name on the stone:

and ye shall carry them over with you; from the place they took them up, to the place they should next stop at:

and leave them in the lodging place where you shall lodge this night: which was in the place afterwards called Gilgal, Jos 4:19.

Gill: Jos 4:4 - Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the children of Israel // out of every tribe a man

Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the children of Israel,.... It may be for some other purpose, Jos 3:12; but this was the destination of them eventually, and as by divine direction:

out of every tribe a man: as he had before ordered, and was now directed to.

Gill: Jos 4:5 - And Joshua said unto them // pass ye over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan // and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder // according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel

And Joshua said unto them,.... The twelve men:

pass ye over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan; that is, they were to go back to Jordan again, which they had passed over, and go into the midst of it, where were the priests bearing the ark; for it is not to be imagined that the ark went along with them, or followed them, they going before it; but they went where that was, just before it, from whence they were to take the stones, as next directed:

and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder; by which it appears they were large stones they were to take, not what they could carry in their hands, but what they were obliged to take upon their shoulders:

according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; who had that day passed over Jordan, of which these stones were to be a memorial.

Gill: Jos 4:6 - That this may be a sign among you // that when your children ask their fathers in time to come // saying, what mean you by these stones

That this may be a sign among you,.... A commemorative one:

that when your children ask their fathers in time to come; or "tomorrow" ^g and so in all time, or any time hereafter:

saying, what mean you by these stones? what is the reason of setting them up, and in this place, and being just of such a number?

Gill: Jos 4:7 - Then ye shall answer them // that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan // the waters of Jordan were cut off // and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever

Then ye shall answer them,.... By informing them of the design and use of them:

that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan; the waters below from those that were, above, which stood up on an heap; so that they were divided and separated from each other, and made dry land for a passage of the children of Israel; and this was done before, and in the presence of the ark of the covenant, to show that is was owing to the power of God, of whose presence the ark was a symbol:

the waters of Jordan were cut off; which is repeated for the confirmation of it, and that it might be taken notice of as a very marvellous event, and to be ascribed to the divine omnipotence and goodness:

and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever; which, whenever seen and observed by them, would put them in mind of this wonderful appearance of God for them; and Jerom ^h speaks of them as if seen by Paula in his time, whose life and travels in those parts are written by him.

Gill: Jos 4:8 - And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded // and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel // and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged // and laid them down there

And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded,.... That is, the twelve men taken out of the twelve tribes of Israel, and who were the representatives of them in this action:

and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; they took the exact number, and out of the very place Joshua was ordered to direct them to do:

and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged: which, as Josephus says ⁱ, was fifty furlongs from Jordan, which was above six miles; so far they carried these stones on their shoulders:

and laid them down there; which afterwards were put in proper order by Joshua, or at least by his direction.

Gill: Jos 4:9 - And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan // in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood // and they are there unto this day

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan,.... Twelve other stones, as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and so Jarchi; which he set one upon another, so that they might be seen above the water; or however the water of Jordan being clear, they might easily be discerned by those who either passed over the river, or walked by the side of it, where they were; and perhaps may be the very stones John the Baptist pointed at in Mat 3:9; since it was at Bethabara he was baptizing, supposed to be the very place of the passage of the children of Israel over Jordan, and had its name from thence, Joh 1:28,

in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood; and which was done in commemoration of it: the words will bear to be read "under the station" of the feet of the priests: hence Jarchi fancies these were set, that their feet might not sink in the mud at the bottom of the river; but this, though here recorded, might be done by Joshua immediately after the priests were come out of Jordan, or as they were coming up: hence some think Joshua was the last that came up from it; but Abarbinel observes, that the word signifies "in the room" or "stead of"; see Gill on Exo 21:24; so that these stones were placed in the room and stead of the station of the priests, in the midst of the river, and in memory of it:

and they are there unto this day; to the time of the writing of this book, which is no objection to Joshua being the writer of it, though it is by some made one; since it might be wrote by him, as doubtless it was, when such an observation could not be impertinent; and if what has been before observed is true, these stones were in the same place in the times of John the Baptist; and that they were in the order in which they were first set; for that they were in the waters of Jordan, there could scarce be any question of it. This was done to perpetuate the memory of this remarkable event: so Alexander the great set up twelve altars on the borders of India, by the river Oraxes, in commemoration of his exploits ^k.

Gill: Jos 4:10 - For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan // until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua // and the people hasted and passed over

For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan,.... Though on dry ground, the waters being divided:

until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua; that is, until all the people had passed over Jordan, as the Lord had ordered Joshua, to encourage them unto, and go over with them, Jos 1:2; and which Moses, by divine direction, had given Joshua in charge to do, Deu 31:7; Kimchi interprets this of the setting up of the stones in Jordan, and the removal of the other to Gilgal, of which Moses said nothing to Joshua; and though it may be true of the former, that the priests stood in Jordan till that was done, which is not certain, yet not of the latter; for it is plain, and it is most reasonable to conclude, that the priests were come up from the midst of Jordan before Israel marched to Gilgal, or even began their march, see Jos 4:18; and much less is this to be understood of the stones at Ebal, as others, and so referred to Deu 27:2; which was not done until after Ai was taken, Jos 8:24. And it is not reasonable to imagine that the priests should continue in Jordan to that time; Abarbinel thinks it refers to the words in Jos 1:3; which had been spoken by the Lord to Joshua, and had been expressed by Moses, Deu 11:24; and which he supposes were now repeated by Joshua, and the priests continued in their station until he had made an end of rehearsing them; the last clause relating to Moses is left out in the Septuagint version:

and the people hasted and passed over; not stood in fear of the waters of the river returning upon them; rather through an eager desire of setting their feet on the land of Canaan, and it may be to relieve the priests from their station as soon as might be.