Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 3:17
And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
17. all the Israelites passed over ] Where the passage exactly took place cannot now be determined, but the typical significance of the narrative is very impressive. Whether we consider (i) the solemn inauguration of Joshua to his office; or (ii) his attestation by the waters of the Jordan; or (iii) the choice of twelve men, one from each tribe, to be the bearers of the twelve stones, and the builders of the monument founded therewith (1Co 3:10; Rev 21:14), we see types of the other “Joshua,” Who was solemnly inaugurated and divinely attested by the rushing waters of the same stream, and Who ordained His twelve Apostles to be the Pillars of His Church, and the builders of the Spiritual Temple. See above, Introduction, p. 25.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The miraculous passage to the holy land through Jordan is not less pregnant with typical meaning than that through the Red Sea (compare 1Co 10:1-2). The solemn inauguration of Joshua to his office, and his miraculous attestation, by the same waters with which Jesus was baptized on entering on the public exercise of His ministry (compare Mat 3:16-17); the choice of twelve men, one from each tribe to be the bearers of the twelve stones, and the builders of the monument erected therewith (compare 1Co 3:10; Rev 21:14): these were divinely-ordered occurrences, not without a further bearing than their more immediate one upon Israel. Nor must in this point of view the name Adam, the place where the stream flowed to the people which cut them off from the promises, and the failure for the time under the rule of Joshua of the full and rapid flood which supplies the Dead Sea, be overlooked.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. The priests – stood firm on dry ground] They stood in the mid channel, and shifted not their position till the camp, consisting of nearly 600,000 effective men, besides women, children, c., had passed over.
1. Is it not surprising that the Canaanites did not dispute this passage with the Israelites? It is likely they would, had they had any expectation that such a passage would have been attempted. They must have known that the Israelitish camp was on the other side of the Jordan, but could they have supposed that a passage for such a host was possible when the banks of the Jordan were quite overflowed? It was not merely because they were panic struck that they did not dispute this passage, but because they must have supposed it impossible and when they found the attempt was made, the passage was effected before they could prepare to prevent it.
2. GOD now appears in such a way, and works in such a manner, as to leave no doubt concerning his presence or his power, or of his love to Israel. After this, was it possible for this people ever to doubt his being or his bounty? This, with the miraculous passage of the Red Sea, were well calculated to have established their faith for ever; and those who did not yield to the evidence afforded by these two miracles were incapable of rational conviction.
3. In some respects the passage of the Jordan was more strikingly miraculous than that even of the Red Sea. In the latter God was pleased to employ an agent; the sea went back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, Ex 14:21. Nothing of this kind appeared in the passage of the Jordan; a very rapid river (for so all travellers allow it to be) went back to its source without any kind of agency but the invisible hand of the invisible God.
4. Through the whole period of the Jewish history these miracles, so circumstantially related, were never denied by any, but on the contrary conscientiously believed by all. Nor did any of them in their revolts from God, which were both foul and frequent, ever call these great facts in question, when even so full of enmity against God as to blaspheme his name, and give his glory to dumb idols! Is not this a manifest proof that these facts were incontestable? and that Jehovah had so done his marvellous works that they should be had in everlasting remembrance? Reader, the same God who is over all is rich in mercy to all that call upon him. HE changes not, neither is he weary: trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength; and HE ever saves his followers out of the hands of all their enemies, and, having guided them by his counsel, will receive them into his glory.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Stood firm, i.e. in one and the same place and posture; their feet neither moved by any waters flowing in upon them, nor sinking into any mire, which one might think was at the bottom of the river. And this may be opposed unto their other standing in the brink of the water when they came to it, commanded Jos 3:8, which was but for a while, till the waters were divided and gone away; and then they were to go farther, even
into the midst of Jordan, as is here said, where they are to stand constantly and fixedly, as this Hebrew word signifies, until all were passed over. If it be said that what is prescribed Jos 3:8, is here said to be executed, and therefore the midst of Jordan here is the same place with the brink of the water of Jordan, Jos 3:8; it may be answered, that the manifest variation of the phrase shows that it is not absolutely the same thing or place which is spoken of there and here; but what is there enjoined is here executed with advantage; for when it is said that they
stood firm…in the midst of Jordan, it must needs be supposed that they first came to the brink of the water, and that they stood there for a season, till the waters were cut off and dried up, as appears from the nature of the thing; and that then they went farther, even into the midst of Jordan. In the midst of Jordan: either,
1. Within Jordan, as it is expressed above, Jos 3:8; for that phrase doth not always signify the exact middle of a place, but any part within it, as appears from Gen 45:6; Exo 8:22; 24:18; Jos 7:13; 10:13; Pro 30:19. Or rather,
2. In the middle and deepest part of the river. For,
1. Words should be taken properly, where they may without any inconveniency, which is the case here.
2. The ark went before them to direct, and encourage, and secure them in the dangers of their passages, for which ends the middle was the fittest place.
3. In this sense the same phrase is used, Jos 4:3,8; for certainly those stones which were to be witnesses and monuments of their passage over Jordan should not be taken from the brink or brim of the river, or from the shore which Jordan overflowed only at that season, but from the most inward and deepest parts of the river; and Jos 3:16-17, where the priests are said to ascend or come up out of Jordan, and out of the midst of Jordan unto the dry land; whereas had this been meant only of the first entrance into the river, they must have been said first to go down into Jordan, and then to go up to the land.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. the priests . . . and all theIsraelites passed over on dry groundthe river about Jerichohas a firm pebbly bottom, on which the host might pass, withoutinconvenience when the water was cleared off.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the priests that bare the ark of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan,…. Which for its breadth Mr. Maundrell, the above mentioned traveller, says c might be about twenty yards over, and its depth exceeded his height; but Dr. Shaw d, a later traveller still, says,
“the river Jordan is by far the most considerable river, excepting the Nile, either of the coast of Syria, or of Barbary. I computed it to be about thirty yards broad, but the depth I could not measure, except at the brink, where I found it to be three yards.”
Now in the midst of this river the priests bearing the ark stood firm on dry ground, the waters above being stopped and those below cut off. This perhaps might give rise to the fables among the Heathens of the river Scamander being swelled for the destruction of Achilles, and dried up by Vulcan, of which Homer e makes mention; and of the river Inachus, dried up by Neptune, as the Grecians fable; however, if Heathens can credit these accounts, surely we Christians ought to believe this, attested by divine revelation. And this may denote the presence of Christ with his people in afflictions, who will not suffer those waters to overflow them, and in death itself, when the swellings of Jordan shall not come near them to distress them; and when the covenant of grace will appear firm and sure, and be their great support; and when also the feet of the ministers of Christ stand firm, and their faith fails not; which is of great use, and very encouraging to the spiritual Israel of God:
and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground; the waters being divided to a space large enough for such a body of people to pass over, and which continued
until all the people were clean passed over Jordan; perfectly and completely, not one being left behind, or lost in the passage through it; in the midst of which the priests stood until all were passed over. So the spiritual Israel of God must all go over Jordan’s river, or must all go through the valley of the shadow of death; and they will all go over safe to Canaan’s land, to the heavenly glory; their souls go immediately to heaven at death, and their bodies will be raised at the last day, and be reunited to them, and partake of happiness with them; nor will anyone of them be lost; they all clean pass over, and arrive safe; for they are the chosen of God, the care and charge of Christ, the purchase of his blood, partake of his grace, and have the earnest of his Spirit.
c Maundrell, Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, p. 83. d Travels, p. 346. e Iliad. 21.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But the priests stood with the ark of the covenant “ in the midst of Jordan,” i.e., in the bed of the river, not merely by the river, “ upon dry ground, ,” lit., firmando , i.e., with a firm foot, whilst all Israel went over upon dry ground, “ till all the people were passed over.” This could easily have been accomplished in half a day, if the people formed a procession of a mile or upwards in breadth.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
17. The priests stood firm on dry ground The priests stood above, near the wall of waters, and the people passed below. The ark, the symbol of the presence of Jehovah, was the instrument of the miracle, as the rod of Moses had been in the division of the Red Sea. Thus God honours his own ordinances.
Dry ground Not hard and dusty ground, but dry only in the sense of being drained of water. See note on Jos 4:18.
All the Israelites passed clean over Jordan The Jordan is now passed, and Canaan is attained! The forty years’ sojourn is closed, and for the first ecstatic moment the feet of the tribes are standing on the Promised Land! Their departure from Egypt and their arrival in Canaan are signalized by parallel miracles of sea and river. Both at their exit and at their entrance Jehovah leads them through a watery gate, by cleaving the waves asunder. Through all ages the Church has seen in the desert sojourn the symbol of our probationary life, and in the crossing the Jordan the symbol of death. Yet is there this memorable difference: the crossing the Jordan was to Israel the commencement of a new warfare; the transit of Christian death is into eternal repose.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And the priests who bore the Ark of the covenant of YHWH stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over Jordan.’
The priests then marched with the Ark into the middle of the Jordan and stood there on dry ground (ground on which there was no standing water) while all the people crossed over and safely reached the other side of the Jordan, having no doubts because they were confident that YHWH Himself was holding back the waters. They had arrived in Canaan!
“Passed clean over Jordan.” Literally ‘were finished to pass over’, thus had finished passing over.
For the meaning of ‘dry’ compare Gen 8:13-14 where in Jos 3:13 the ground was no longer covered in water and in Jos 3:14 it had dried out. The noun here relates to the first.
“The ark of the covenant of YHWH.” The longer appellation stressed that it not only at this time reminded them of their covenant with YHWH, but also that that covenant was with YHWH, the God Who does wonders.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 17. And the priestsstood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, &c. Being come to the middle of the channel, they remained there till the whole of the people were gone over, and waited the orders of Joshua to rejoin the army. We apprehend that the passage was effected thus: The priests, bearing the ark at two thousand cubits distance from the camp, being arrived at the river’s side, its waters divided from one shore to the other. While the miracle was performing, they stopped; and then the division of the waters being finished, those above to their right being filled up, and those below having run off, the priests again moved forward, entered the channel of the river, and confidently posted themselves in the midst, at a nearly equal distance from the two shores, where they remained till the tribes, who filed off about two thousand cubits below, had entirely crossed over, and gained the other bank: so that the ark kept between the heaped-up waters, and the people, as if to preserve the latter, and confirm them against the fear of their unexpected return. Some authors represent the whole people as divided into two columns, and so passing on each side the ark, at two thousand cubits distance. But this is entirely without proof. The constancy of the priests, on this occasion, bears very honourable testimony to their faith: for we may suppose that it took up a considerable time for the passage of six hundred thousand fighting men, beside the numerous people that accompanied them, with their baggage and provisions. The place where the Israelites crossed, has since gone by the before-mentioned name of Bethabara, which signifies house of the passage. It is spoken of Joh 1:28.
Thus then was accomplished that memorable event, the circumstances of which we have endeavoured to explain, and the fame whereof in every respect merited a transmission to posterity. I. The truth of the fact cannot be disputed by those who believe the Scriptures. To deny that the Israelites crossed the Jordan dry-shod, as Joshua relates it, would be to belie the authenticity of the sacred records. Much less, II. can one help remarking in this event divers miraculous circumstances. The waters of the river suspended and forced to go back in part toward their source; its channel instantly dried up, and none of the neighbouring towns appearing to have been immersed by the inundations of the floods; repulsed as they were to so considerable a distance; the time which God chose for the working of this miracle, when, by the melting of the snows, the river was swelled beyond its banks; the prediction of Joshua respecting the event; the supernatural terror which hindered the inhabitants of Jericho from laying the least obstacle in the way of the Israelites’ passage through the river, which served them as a bulwark: all these circumstances, and others which concurred, allow us not to overlook the infinite power of the Lord of the whole earth; of that same hand, which, forty years before, had opened to the Israelites a passage through the very depths of the Red Sea. In vain is the attempt to depreciate this miracle, by comparing it with some events recorded in profane history. Who knows not that winds, and other natural causes, have frequently turned rivers backward to their source? But not to mention that history says nothing of any winds stopping the waters of Jordan, what wind could have retained them so long? retained one part, and let the other part flow off; and displayed this power at a fixed time, foreseen and foretold? Have then the worshippers of the true God less reason to believe his power great enough for the performance of such a miracle, than the heathens had to attribute to their gods miracles entirely similar? The latter were mistaken in the facts, and ascribed to their idols a power of which they were incapable: but what difficulty can there be for the God of heaven and earth to suspend the course of those laws of nature whereof he is the author? III. To conclude: It cannot be said, that we here suppose a miracle unnecessarily. On the passage of the Jordan depended, in a great measure, the conquest of the land of Canaan. The people of that country apprehended themselves perfectly secure behind that deep and rapid flood; and the use of pontoons, or bridges of boats, which we now employ for crossing of rivers, being then unknown, there was no probability that three millions of souls should venture to undertake to ford it. This sudden opening of a passage to the Israelites through the channel of the river, therefore, was a decisive stroke; it was to inspire them with courage for every attempt; it was, on the other hand, to throw their enemies into a terror and fright, of which it was easy to foresee the consequences. At the report of the waters of Jordan being miraculously separated, to facilitate the passage of God’s people, their hearts melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel; chap. Jos 5:1. See Scheuchzer, Physique sacree in loc. and Grew’s Cosmol. Sacr. lib. iv. c. 5.
REFLECTIONS.Now was the glorious power of God to be magnified for his Israel. Advancing under his orders, though no way appeared, the priests reached the bank of the river, which was at this time much wider and deeper than usual. But no sooner had their feet touched the waters, than they fled before them; part rolled backward to their source, part ran down into the lake of Sodom, and left a space of sixteen or eighteen miles dry, for the ransomed of the Lord to pass over. Note; (1.) The greatness of our difficulties shall only the more magnify the power of God in overcoming them for us. (2.) When we have an interest in a covenant God, and follow in simplicity the ark Christ, we shall find the passage of death as easy, as to Israel it was to pass through the bed of the river when the waters were dried up. To assure the people of the safety of the passage, God’s ark stands in the midst till all are passed over: to encourage them to venture through, God’s priests, as they entered first, stay till the last man has gained the opposite shore. Note; God’s ministers must be the first to brave danger, and the last to regard their own safety. The place of their passage was opposite to Jericho, and not a man was lost by the way. It could not but strike terror and confusion into their enemies to see such a miracle; it could not fail at the same time to inspire themselves with confidence of success. What city could stand before those to whom the very elements ministered, and whom the omnipotent God led as their captain! Note; Nothing can withstand the faithful believer in his passage to glory: in vain the world, or sin, or death, obstruct the way; God will cleave before him the deep waters, and make him more than conqueror.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader, seek grace from God the Holy Ghost to read the whole of this sweet scripture spiritually, and with an eye to God’s mercy in Jesus. As Jordan ‘ s sacred stream retired, to make way for the ransomed to pass over; and as the priests ‘ feet stood firm in the river until all was accomplished; so, depend upon it the covenant of grace, in the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus, stands firm in the midst of all the Jordans of this world of sin, and sorrow, and tribulation. The word of God saith it, and Jesus ever lives to secure it: the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion, with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away: Isa 35:10 .
REFLECTIONS
YE happy souls! whom God, even the God of the whole earth, is bringing in, and bringing through all the fords of Jordan, and all the difficulties which lay on this side Jordan, in the way to Canaan; here stand still, and see the salvation of God. How eternally safe, and how eternally secure, must they be, who have the ark of the covenant to go on before them, and the Lord himself their rereward!
Ye priests of Jesus, Levites of a better dispensation than that of Moses, and established upon better promises, with what fearless and undaunted zeal may you pass on, before the camp of God’s Israel, surrounded with his ordinances and the ark of the covenant of the God of the whole earth, with you!
But chiefly thou, dear Jesus! who art both the ark and the resting place, the mercy seat and the security, the all in all of thy people. Oh! be thou ever with me in all places, at all times, in all the Jordans of difficulty, and in all the Canaan for happiness; for without thee nothing is safe, nothing desirable. Be thou my ark, my sanctuary, my covert, my resting place, for in thy person and righteousness, are the lives of thy people eternally secured and made happy. Unto thee, blessed Jesus, as my everlasting home, do I desire to come, for thou Lord hast dealt bountifully with me.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Ver. 17. And all the Israelites passed over. ] He was a bold Israelite that first set foot on the water: but no “Israelite indeed” need fear to pass through corporal death, having the ark of God’s covenant in his eye, to take possession of the heavenly Canaan.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
all the Israelites: better = all Israel.
were passed clean over = finished passing over.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the priests: Jos 3:3-6
stood firm: Jos 4:3, 2Ki 2:8
all the Israelites: Exo 14:22, Exo 14:29, Psa 66:6, Isa 25:8, Heb 11:29
Reciprocal: Gen 8:16 – General Num 33:51 – General Deu 12:10 – But when Jos 3:8 – ye shall stand Jos 4:1 – were clean passed Jos 4:10 – stood in the midst Jos 4:11 – that the ark Jos 4:22 – General Jos 9:1 – on this Jos 12:7 – on this side Neh 9:23 – broughtest Dan 3:26 – come forth Hab 3:8 – the Lord Mat 2:13 – until
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 3:17. Stood firm That is, in one and the same place and posture; their feet were neither moved by any waters flowing in upon them, nor sunk into any mire, which one might think was at the bottom of the river. And this may be opposed to their standing in the brink of the water when they came to it, as commanded, (Jos 3:8,) which was but for a while, till the waters were divided and gone away; and then they were to go farther, even into the midst of Jordan, where they were to stand constantly and fixedly, as the Hebrew word signifies, until all were passed over. The midst of Jordan In the middle and deepest part of the river. This manifests how firmly the priests believed the word of the Lord, and confided in his power, otherwise they would not have dared to stand so long in the midst of the channel of a river, whose rapid waters stood suspended above them in mountainous heaps, ready every moment to overwhelm them unless miraculously withheld by the power of God.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood {g} firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
(g) Either tarrying till the people were past, or as some read, sure, as though they had been on dry land.