Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Joshua 3:15 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Jos 3:15 |
Strong Concordance |
And as they that bare [05375] the ark [0727] were come [0935] unto Jordan [03383], and the feet [07272] of the priests [03548] that bare [05375] the ark [0727] were dipped [02881] in the brim [07097] of the water [04325], (for Jordan [03383] overfloweth [04390] all his banks [01415] all the time [03117] of harvest [07105],) |
|
King James |
And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Jordan overfloweth all his banks - Rather "is full up to all his banks," i. e. "brim-full." This remark strikingly illustrates the suddenness and completeness, not less than the greatness, of the marvel. The Jordan River flows at the bottom of a deep valley, which descends to the water's edge on either side in two, occasionally in three, terraces. Within the lowest of these the stream, ordinarily less than 100 feet wide in this lower part of its course, is confined. The margin is overgrown with a jungle of tamarisks and willows, which in the spring is reached by the rising waters (compare the figure in Jer 49:19; Jer 50:44); and the river, occasionally at least, fills the ravine which forms its proper bed to the brim. Its highest rise takes place about the time when Joshua had to cross it. By the middle of April the river cannot be forded; and, if passed at all, can only be so by swimming. This, however, was a hazardous feat (compare Ch1 12:15); and though no doubt performed by the two spies, was utterly out of the power of the mixed multitude that followed Joshua. The mere fact that the whole vast host crossed the stream of Jordan at this season, is no small proof of the miracle here recorded. No human agency then known and available could have transported them speedily and safely from bank to bank. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
All the time of harvest - This is meant not of wheat - harvest, but of the barley - harvest, as is manifest from their keeping the passover at their first entrance, Jos 5:10, which was kept on the fourteenth day of the first month, when they were to bring a sheaf of their first - fruits, which were of barley. So that this harvest in those hot countries fell very early in the spring, when rivers used to swell most; partly because of the rains which have fallen all the winter, partly because of the snows which melt and come into the rivers. And this time God chose that the miracle might be more glorious, more amazing and terrible to the Canaanites; and that the Israelites might be entertained at their first entrance with plentiful and comfortable provisions. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
And the feet of the priests - were dipped in the brim of the water - Thus we find that every thing occurred exactly in the way in which Joshua had foretold it. This must have greatly increased his credit among the people.
For Jordan overfloweth all his banks, etc. - It has often been remarked that there was no need of a miracle in crossing Jordan, as it is but an inconsiderable stream, easily fordable, being but about twenty yards in breadth. But the circumstance marked here by the sacred historian proves that there was a time in the year, viz., in the harvest, that this said river overflowed its banks; and this is confirmed by another place in Scripture, Ch1 12:15. As the miracle reported here took place about the beginning of April, a time in which rivers in general are less than in winter, it may be asked how there could be such an increase of waters at this time? The simple fact is, that the Jordan, as we have already seen, has its origin at the foot of Mount Lebanon, which mountain is always covered with snow during the winter months; in those months therefore the river is low: but when the summer's sun has melted these snows, there is consequently a prodigious increase of waters, so that the old channel is not capable of containing them; this accounts for the statement in the text that the Jordan overfloweth his banks all the time of harvest; and this was the time which God chose they should pass over it, that a miraculous interposition might be necessary, and that by the miracle they should be convinced of his omnipotence, who was not only their guide, but had promised to put them in possession of this good land. |
15 These are they that went over [05674] Jordan [03383] in the first [07223] month [02320], when it had overflown [04390] all his banks [01415] [01428]; and they put to flight [01272] all them of the valleys [06010], both toward the east [04217], and toward the west [04628].
44 Behold, he shall come up [05927] like a lion [0738] from the swelling [01347] of Jordan [03383] unto the habitation [05116] of the strong [0386]: but I will make [07323] them suddenly [07280] run away [07323] [07323] from her: and who is a chosen [0977] man, that I may appoint [06485] over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time [03259]? and who is that shepherd [07462] that will stand [05975] before [06440] me?
19 Behold, he shall come up [05927] like a lion [0738] from the swelling [01347] of Jordan [03383] against the habitation [05116] of the strong [0386]: but I will suddenly [07280] make him run away [07323] from her: and who is a chosen [0977] man, that I may appoint [06485] over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time [03259]? and who is that shepherd [07462] that will stand [05975] before [06440] me?
10 And the children [01121] of Israel [03478] encamped [02583] in Gilgal [01537], and kept [06213] the passover [06453] on the fourteenth [0702] [06240] day [03117] of the month [02320] at even [06153] in the plains [06160] of Jericho [03405].
15 These are they that went over [05674] Jordan [03383] in the first [07223] month [02320], when it had overflown [04390] all his banks [01415] [01428]; and they put to flight [01272] all them of the valleys [06010], both toward the east [04217], and toward the west [04628].