Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
And Joshua commandeth the authorities of the people, saying,
And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
Joshua — The entry narrative — Israel crosses the Jordan, takes the Land through three conquest campaigns, and renews covenant at Shechem. The hinge between Torah's promises and the historical record of those promises unfolding.
Voices4
At the death of Moses, Joshua received the rule; and when the law ended, our true Lord Jesus obtained the rule of the whole world. Therefore, Joshua who typified the Lord said to the people when he came to the Jordan: "Prepare your provisions until …
Caesarius of Arles· SERMON 115.1, 542patristic
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people,.... The same word is used in Deu 16:18; where it seems to design such officers that attended on the judges, and executed their orders; but one would think it should here rather signify officers in the army, as captains, and the like; unless it should design a sort of heralds, who were to make proclamation throughout the camp, each of the orders issued by Joshua, immediately upon his having the above directions and instructions from the Lord: saying; as follows.
John Gill· Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763)reformed
Commanded the officers - שטרים shoterim. These were different from the שפטים shophetim, who were judges among the people, and whose business it was to determine in all civil cases. The shoterim have been supposed to be subordinate officers, whose business it was to see the decisions of the shophetim carried into effect. Calmet conjectures that the shoterim here may have been the heralds of the army like those so often met with in Homer, who were called the messengers both of the gods and men; who bore sceptres, and whose persons were ever held sacred.
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible, 1832evangelical
Moses the servant is dead; but God the master is not: he lives forever. This Jordan - Which is now near thee, which is the only obstacle in thy way to Canaan. Which I give - That is, am now about to give thee actual possession of it, as I formerly gave a right to it by promise.
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament, 1765evangelical
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread — the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
The verses this one reaches1
After three days the officers went through the camp
