John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And Joshua said unto them , etc.] The twelve men: pass ye over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan ; that is, they were to go back to Jordan again, which they had passed over, and go into the midst of it, where were the priests bearing the ark; for it is not to be imagined that the ark went along with them, or followed them, they going before it; but they went where that was, just before it, from whence they were to take the stones, as next directed: and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder ; by which it appears they were large stones they were to take, not what they could carry in their hands, but what they were obliged to take upon their shoulders: according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel ; who had that day passed over Jordan, of which these stones were to be a memorial.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - The works of the Lord are so worthy of rememberance, and the heart of man is so prone to forget them, that various methods are needful to refresh our memories, for the glory of God, our advantage, and that of our children. God gave orders for preparing this memorial.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 להם יהושׁע3091 עברו5674 לפני6440 ארון727 יהוה3068 אלהיכם430 אל413 תוך8432 הירדן3383 והרימו7311 לכם אישׁ376 אבן68 אחת259 על5921 שׁכמו7926 למספר4557 שׁבטי7626 בני1121 ישׂראל׃3478
