Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. Sanctify yourselves] What was implied in this command we are not informed; but it is likely that it was the same as that given by Moses, Exod. xix. 10-14. They were to wash themselves and their garments, and abstain from every thing that might indispose their minds from a profitable attention to the miracle about to be wrought in their behalf.
John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And Joshua said unto the people , etc.] On the third day; and the thirtieth day of the mourning for Moses, Jarchi says, was the first of the three days, and that being the seventh day of the month, this must be the ninth, as it is most clear the morrow was the tenth: sanctify yourselves ; in a ceremonial sense, by washing their bodies and their clothes, and abstaining from their wives
; and in a moral sense, by acts of religion and devotion, by prayer and meditation, and the exercise of repentance and, good works: it may denote that sanctification is necessary to our passage over Jordan, or through death to the heavenly Canaan, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you : in their sight and presence, and for them, by dividing the waters of Jordan, that they might pass through it as on dry land; this, as Kimchi says, was the tenth of Nisan, as is plain from ( Joshua 4:19).
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 ויאמר559 יהושׁע3091 אל413 העם5971 התקדשׁו6942 כי3588 מחר4279 יעשׂה6213 יהוה3068 בקרבכם7130 נפלאות׃6381
