Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 3:6
And Joshua spoke unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
6. And they took up ] i.e. on the day following.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They took up – i. e. on the day following. The course of events is anticipated.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. Spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark] It is remarkable that the priests, not the Levites, whose ordinary business it was were employed to carry the ark on this occasion. Calmet conjectures that this was because it was probably carried without being wrapped up in its curtains, as it always was when the Levites carried it. Though it was the business of the Levites, the sons of Kohath, to carry the ark; yet on certain occasions the priests alone performed this office.
1. In the present case.
2. When they encompassed Jericho, Jos 6:6.
3. When it was carried to the war against the Philistines by the priests, the sons of Eli, 2Sa 15:25.
4. When David sent it back to Jerusalem, at the time he was obliged to fly from it, through the rebellion of his son Absalom, 2Sa 15:25; and,
5. At the time that it was taken out of the tabernacle, to be deposited in the temple; see 1Kg 8:6-11. These were the most solemn occasions, and on such alone, we may presume, the priests performed this office instead of the Levites.
In all their former marches the ark was carried in the centre of this immense camp; (see the scheme at the end of Nu 2:2 of the book of Numbers;) but now it was to proceed at the head of the army, and to go before them, and at such a distance, about three quarters of a mile, that the whole camp might see it as their guide.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Take up the ark, to wit, upon your shoulders; for so they were to carry it, Num 7:9.
Before the people; not in the middle of them, as you used to do.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. Joshua spake unto thepriestsThis order to the priests would be given privately, andinvolving as it did an important change in the established order ofmarch, it must be considered as announced in the name and by theauthority of God. Moreover, as soon as the priests stepped into thewaters of Jordan, they were to stand still. The ark was to accomplishwhat had been done by the rod of Moses.
Jos 3:7;Jos 3:8. THELORD ENCOURAGESJOSHUA.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Joshua spoke unto the priests,…. On the morrow, that is, on the tenth day of the month, the day on which they went over Jordan:
saying, take up the ark of the covenant; in which the law was put, which was the covenant between God and the people, from whence the ark had this name; and in which it was typical of Christ, in whom both the law, the covenant of works, was fulfilled, and with whom the covenant of grace was made; who is the Mediator; surety, and messenger of it, and in whom all the blessings and promises of it are, and with whom it is, and will be kept for evermore: the ark, the priests were ordered to take up and bear on their shoulders; for no other way might they carry it; these typified the ministers of Christ who bear his name, his Gospel in the world, see Ac 9:15;
and pass over before the people; over the river Jordan, to direct them in the way through it, and encourage them to follow them:
and they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people; from the place where they had lodged the night before to the brink of the river.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6. And Joshua spoke unto the priests, etc It is probable that the priests were informed why God wished the ark to precede, that they might be more ready to execute the command, for the whole people are immediately after made acquainted with the intended division of the waters. As the prefects had formerly published in the camp, that the people were to follow the ark of the covenant, the priests could not possibly be ignorant as to the office which they were to perform. For it had been distinctly declared that they were to be leaders or standard-bearers. But when all were in readiness, Joshua publicly unfolded the divine message which he had received. For it would have been incongruous to make the divine favor more clearly manifest to the common people than to them. It is added, however, immediately after, that the people were made acquainted with the miracle.
I conclude, therefore, that after the priests had for some time been kept in suspense, along with the multitude, the Lord, on ascertaining the obedience of all, publicly declared what he was to do. First, then, it is related that the priests were enjoined by Joshua to bear the ark before the people; and secondly, lest any one might think that he was making the attempt at random, or at his own hand, mention is at the same time made of the promise with which he had been furnished as a means of ensuring his command. But although it is not then distinctly said that the course of the Jordan would be interrupted, yet, from the language which Joshua used to the people, we may infer that the Lord spoke more in detail, and explained more distinctly what he had determined to do. For Joshua did not mention anything which he had not previously learned from the mouth of God himself. Nay, before he makes any mention of the matter at all, he tells them to hear the words of the Lord, and thus premises that he has the authority of God for what he is about to say.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
6. Take up the ark This command was among the announcements relating to the order of crossing, and not to the crossing itself, which took place on the next day.
And they took up the ark A statement which is, according to the rules of modern composition, brought in before its proper place, which would naturally be between Jos 3:13-14. For the message from God to Joshua, and the address of the latter, must have been given before the priests moved. But this is the manner of the Hebrew historians, who often thus mention the fulfilment of a prophecy or the execution of a command in the immediate connection.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the Ark of the covenant and cross over before the people,” and they took up the Ark of the covenant, and went before the people.”
The stress here is on the fact that they moved forwards as the people of the covenant, in obedience. When they go into battle it will be following ‘the Ark of Yahweh’, but here it is with ‘the Ark of the Covenant’. Note the emphasis on obedience. ‘Take up —– they took up.’ The swollen river lay before them but they did what they were bid.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
I would have the Reader remark with me that the priests, and not the Levites, were here appointed to the service of carrying the ark. See Num 4:15 . Was not this to show that Jesus in his priestly office, and not the law which the Levites represented, must go in before the people! Under the law they were seeking out a resting place. In the gospel that rest is found. See Num 10:33 . Compared with Psa 132:8 . I beg the Reader yet further to remark with me, that heretofore the ark was carried in the midst of the people, implying that God was in the midst of his people. But now in going before, did it not imply, that Jesus would go before to take possession in their name? It is not an unsuitable observation neither, to remark, that the priests bearing the ark and going before the people may be supposed to intimate, that it is the office of the ministers of the gospel to go before the people in all appointed ordinances, holding up to their view the person of the Lord Jesus in all his endearing offices, and characters, and relations. Oh, for more of Paul’s disposition in the servants of the sanctuary! See 1Co 2:2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 3:6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
Ver. 6. And went before the people. ] To the further side of the river, say some; to the middle only, say others, as Jos 3:17 the pillar of cloud still going before them for a guide, as some conceive, but others doubt.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Take up: Jos 3:3, Num 14:15, Num 10:33, Mic 2:13, Joh 14:2, Joh 14:3, Heb 6:20
Reciprocal: Num 4:33 – under the hand Deu 9:1 – to pass Jos 3:14 – bearing the ark Jos 6:6 – Take up the ark Jos 8:33 – priests 2Sa 15:24 – bearing 1Ki 8:3 – the priests took up 2Ch 5:4 – the Levites Act 7:45 – Jesus
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 3:6. Take up the ark Namely, upon your shoulders; for so they were to carry it, Num 7:9. Before the people Not in the middle of them, as you used to do. And they took up the ark They did as they were commanded. And now we may suppose that prayer of Moses to be used, which he addressed to God when the ark set forward, Num 10:3. Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered.