John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded , etc.] 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 f55 , 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.
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 ויעשׂו6213 כן3651 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 כאשׁר834 צוה6680 יהושׁע3091 וישׂאו5375 שׁתי8147 עשׂרה6240 אבנים68 מתוך8432 הירדן3383 כאשׁר834 דבר1696 יהוה3068 אל413 יהושׁע3091 למספר4557 שׁבטי7626 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 ויעברום5674 עמם5973 אל413 המלון4411 וינחום3240 שׁם׃8033
