Joshua 4:4

4 And Joshua having called twelve men of distinction among the children of Israel, one of each tribe,

Joshua 4:4 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 4:4

Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the
children of Israel
It may be for some other purpose, ( Joshua 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.

Joshua 4:4 In-Context

2 Take men from the people, one of each tribe,

3 and charge them; and ye shall take out of the midst of Jordan twelve fit stones, and having carried them across together with yourselves, place them in your camp, where ye shall encamp for the night.

4 And Joshua having called twelve men of distinction among the children of Israel, one of each tribe,

5 said to them, Advance before me in the presence of the Lord into the midst of Jordan, and each having taken up a stone from thence, let him carry it on his shoulders, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel:

6 that these may be to you continually for an appointed sign, that when thy son asks thee in future, saying, What are these stones to us?

Footnotes

• [a]. of the distinguished, or, illustrious.