John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And Joshua rose early in the morning , etc.] The morning after the spies had returned and made their report; which, as Kimchi rightly observes, was the ninth of Nisan; for on the morrow, which was the tenth, the people passed over Jordan, (see Joshua 3:5 4:19). Moses, according to the Jewish writers, died on the seventh of Adar or February; the thirty days of his mourning ended the seventh of Nisan or March; two days before they were ended the spies were sent, who returned on the eighth day of the month; and the morning following Joshua rose early, which shows his readiness and alacrity to proceed in the expedition he was directed and encouraged to: and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan ; from Shittim in the plains of Moab, to the river Jordan: he and all the children of Israel ; he as their general, and they an army of six hundred thousand fighting men under him, besides women and children, and others that came along with them: and lodged there before they passed over ; lay there encamped a night before they passed over the river Jordan.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - The Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that the should pass it. In the way of duty, let us proceed as far as we can and depend on the Lord. Joshua led them. Particular notice is taken of his early rising, as afterwards upon other occasions, which shows ho little he sought his own ease. Those who would bring great things to pass, must rise early. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. All in public stations should always attend to the duty of their place. The people were to follow the ark. Thus must we walk after the rule of the word, and the direction of the Spirit, in everything; so shall peace be upon us as upon the Israel of God; but we must follow our minister only as they follow Christ. All their way through the wilderness was a untrodden path, but most so this through Jordan. While we are here, we must expect and prepare to pass ways that we have not passed before but in the path of duty we may proceed with boldness and cheerfulness Whether we are called to suffer poverty, pain, labour, persecution reproach, or death, we are following the Author and Finisher of ou faith; nor can we set our feet in any dangerous or difficult spot through our whole journey, but faith will there see the prints of the Redeemer's feet, who trod that very path to glory above, and bids u follow him, that where he is, we may be also. They were to sanctif themselves. Would we experience the effects of God's love and power, we must put away sin, and be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
Original Hebrew וישׁכם7925 יהושׁע3091 בבקר1242 ויסעו5265 מהשׁטים7851 ויבאו935 עד5704 הירדן3383 הוא1931 וכל3605 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 וילנו3885 שׁם8033 טרם2962 יעברו׃5674
