Joshua 4:8

8 The children of Israel therefore did as Josue commanded them, carrying out of the channel of the Jordan twelve stones, as the Lord had commanded him according to the number of the children of Israel unto the place wherein they camped, and there they set them.

Joshua 4:8 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 4:8

And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded
That is, the twelve men taken out of the twelve tribes of Israel, and who were the representatives of them in this action;

and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord
spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the
children of Israel;
they took the exact number, and out of the very place Joshua was ordered to direct them to do:

and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged:
which, as Josephus says ^F9, was fifty furlongs from Jordan, which was above six miles; so far they carried these stones on their shoulders:

and laid them down there;
which afterwards were put in proper order by Joshua, or at least by his direction.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 4.

Joshua 4:8 In-Context

6 That it may be a sign among you: and when your children shall ask you tomorrow, saying: What means these stones?

7 You shall answer them: The waters of the Jordan ran off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over the same: therefore were these stones set for a monument of the children of Israel forever.

8 The children of Israel therefore did as Josue commanded them, carrying out of the channel of the Jordan twelve stones, as the Lord had commanded him according to the number of the children of Israel unto the place wherein they camped, and there they set them.

9 And Josue put other twelve stones in the midst of the channel of the Jordan, where the priests stood that carried the ark of the covenant: and they are there until this present day.

10 Now the priests that carried the ark, stood in the midst of the Jordan, till all things were accomplished, which the Lord had commanded Josue to speak to the people, and Moses had said to him. And the people made haste, and passed over.