Joshua 3:7

7 And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

Joshua 3:7 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 3:7

And the Lord said unto Joshua
Out of the tabernacle:

this day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel;
by working the miracle afterwards related; dividing the waters, which was done on this day, and was but the beginning of wonders; for other great and marvellous things were done for him and by him, by which it appeared he was high in the favour of God, greatly esteemed and honoured by him, and so would be great and honourable in the account of the people:

that they may know that as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee;
by dividing the waters of Jordan for him, as he had divided the waters of the Red sea for Moses; which, as it was a token of his powerful presence with him, this would be a like token of it with Joshua. The Targum is,

``as my Word was for the help of Moses, so shall my Word be for thy help.''

Joshua 3:7 In-Context

5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow Jehovah will do wonders among you.
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.
7 And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall stand still in the Jordan.
9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of Jehovah your God.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.