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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 3:2 After three days the officers went through the camp</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/3-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/06_Jos_03_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 3:2 - Crossing the Jordan" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="After three days the officers went through the camp" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/3-1.htm" title="Joshua 3:1">◄</a> Joshua 3:2 <a href="/joshua/3-3.htm" title="Joshua 3:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />After three days the officers went throughout the camp,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />At the end of three days the officers went through the camp<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />After three days the officers went through the camp<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then at the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it came about at the end of three days that the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened that at the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And it happened at the end of three days that the officers went throughout the camp,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />After three days the officers went through the camp<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />After three days the officers went through the camp<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Two days later their leaders went through the camp, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Three days later the officers went through the camp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Three days later the leaders went through the camp <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Three days later, the officers went throughout the camp, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />After three days the officers went through the camp<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />After three days the leaders went through the camp<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />After three days, the officers went through the middle of the camp; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass, at the end of three days, that the authorities pass over into the midst of the camp,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it cometh to pass, at the end of three days, that the authorities pass over into the midst of the camp,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be from the end of three days and the scribes will pass through in the midst of the camp.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />After which, the heralds went through the midst of the camp, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />After these things unfolded, announcers passed through the midst of the camp,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Three days later the officers went through the camp<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />At the end of three days the officers went through the camp<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass after three days the officers went through the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And after three days the Rulers passed through within the camp<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass after three days, <i>that</i> the scribes went through the camp;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/3-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=461" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/3.htm">Crossing the Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Early the next morning Joshua got up and left Shittim with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7097.htm" title="7097: miq·ṣêh (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- End, extremity. Or qetseh; from qatsah; an extremity.">After</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šeṯ (Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">three</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/7860.htm" title="7860: haš·šō·ṭə·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. an official superintendent or magistrate.">the officers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: way·ya·‘aḇ·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">went</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qe·reḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">through</a> <a href="/hebrew/4264.htm" title="4264: ham·ma·ḥă·neh (Art:: N-cs) -- An encampment, camp. From chanah; an encampment; hence, an army, whether literal or figurative.">the camp</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-15.htm">Exodus 14:15-16</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. / And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/10-33.htm">Numbers 10:33-34</a></span><br />So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. / And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-3.htm">Deuteronomy 31:3</a></span><br />The LORD your God Himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua will cross ahead of you, as the LORD has said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-11.htm">Joshua 1:11</a></span><br />“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/4-19.htm">Joshua 4:19</a></span><br />On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-4.htm">1 Samuel 4:4</a></span><br />So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-2.htm">2 Samuel 6:2</a></span><br />And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-25.htm">1 Chronicles 15:25</a></span><br />So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Psalm 114:3</a></span><br />The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-2.htm">Isaiah 43:2</a></span><br />When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16-17</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. / And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a></span><br />Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-9.htm">Mark 1:9-11</a></span><br />In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. / As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. / And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-21.htm">Luke 3:21-22</a></span><br />When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened, / and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32-34</a></span><br />Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. / I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ / I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;</p><p class="hdg">three days</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/1-10.htm">Joshua 1:10,11</a></b></br> Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/1-10.htm">Authorities</a> <a href="/joshua/1-10.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/joshua/1-11.htm">Camp</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/34-8.htm">End</a> <a href="/joshua/1-11.htm">Host</a> <a href="/joshua/1-11.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/joshua/1-10.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-18.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Three</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Throughout</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/23-2.htm">Authorities</a> <a href="/judges/9-29.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Camp</a> <a href="/joshua/8-24.htm">End</a> <a href="/joshua/4-13.htm">Host</a> <a href="/joshua/3-5.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/joshua/7-3.htm">Three</a> <a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">Throughout</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-1.htm">Joshua come to Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-2.htm">The officers instruct the people for their passage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-7.htm">The Lord encourages Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-9.htm">Joshua encourages the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">The water of Jordan are divided</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>After three days</b><br>The phrase "after three days" is significant in biblical narratives, often symbolizing a period of preparation, waiting, or transition. In the context of <a href="/joshua/3.htm">Joshua 3</a>, the Israelites are on the brink of entering the Promised Land, a pivotal moment in their history. The three-day period may have been used for spiritual preparation, reflection, and logistical organization. This time frame is reminiscent of other biblical events, such as Jonah's three days in the belly of the fish (<a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17</a>) and Jesus' resurrection on the third day (<a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Matthew 16:21</a>), symbolizing a transition from death to life or from old to new.<p><b>the officers went through the camp</b><br>The officers, or leaders, played a crucial role in communicating God's instructions to the people. Their movement through the camp signifies the organized and orderly nature of the Israelite community under Joshua's leadership. This action reflects the military and communal structure of the Israelites, emphasizing obedience and readiness. The officers' role is similar to that of the elders in the New Testament church, who are responsible for guiding and instructing the congregation (<a href="/1_peter/5.htm">1 Peter 5:1-3</a>). The camp itself, a temporary dwelling place, symbolizes the transient nature of the Israelites' journey and their reliance on God's guidance as they move towards the fulfillment of His promises.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, who are preparing to cross the Jordan River into Canaan.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_officers.htm">The Officers</a></b><br>Leaders among the Israelites who are responsible for communicating Joshua's instructions to the people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_camp.htm">The Camp</a></b><br>The temporary dwelling place of the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>The natural barrier that the Israelites must cross to enter Canaan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_and_obedience.htm">Preparation and Obedience</a></b><br>The Israelites' three-day preparation period emphasizes the importance of readiness and obedience in following God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_communication.htm">Leadership and Communication</a></b><br>The role of the officers highlights the necessity of effective leadership and clear communication within the community of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>The waiting period before crossing the Jordan teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing and plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The Israelites' willingness to move forward demonstrates that faith requires action, not just belief.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_unity.htm">Community and Unity</a></b><br>The collective movement of the Israelites underscores the strength found in unity and shared purpose among God's people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_the_high_priest_in_the_bible.htm">Who was the high priest in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/explain_elisha's_prophecy_fulfillment..htm">2 Kings 7:19-20 -- How do we reconcile the exact fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy about the officer's death without invoking the supernatural?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1,000_years_a_day_in_2_peter_3_8.htm">Does 2 Peter 3:8 equate a thousand years to a day?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_label_2_tim_3_1-5_traits_as_unique.htm">In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, how can we label these behaviors as uniquely 'last days' traits when similar conduct is observable in every era of human history?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">After three days.</span>--See <a href="/joshua/1-2.htm" title="Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.">Joshua 1:2</a>.<p>(2-6) PRELIMINARY ORDERS.--The priests are to bear the ark. This was usually the duty of the Levites of the family of Kohath; but both at the passage of Jordan and the taking of Jericho, the priests were employed as bearers. The people must be sanctified, as they were in preparation for the giving of the law at Sinai (in Exodus 19). And the ark itself takes, in some sense, a fresh position. The space of 2,000 cubits was left between the head of the column of Israelites and the ark, in order that they might all see it. Up to this time, during the whole of the Exodus, they had been led by the pillar of cloud and fire. The ark had led the van ever since they left Sinai (<a href="/context/numbers/10-33.htm" title="And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.">Numbers 10:33-34</a>). But as the cloud had moved <span class= "ital">above </span>the ark, where all the people could see it, the head of the column might follow the ark as closely as possible, without any inconvenience. Now the cloud was no longer with them. It was a visible token of God's presence especially granted to Moses, and with him it disappeared. The ark was now to be the only leader, and therefore it must be placed in a somewhat more conspicuous position. This difference of arrangement appears to be indicated by the words in <a href="/joshua/3-4.htm" title="Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near to it, that you may know the way by which you must go: for you have not passed this way heretofore.">Joshua 3:4</a>, "Ye have not passed this way heretofore." The words may mean, "You are marching over untrodden ground;" but if so, they are not more applicable to this march than to many previous marches. They may also mean, "You have not marched in this manner heretofore," and this interpretation seems more to the purpose.<p>It may be of use to consider here, what was the actual significance of the position assigned to the ark in Joshua. What was the ark? It was a chest containing the ten commandments, written with the finger of God on two tables of stone prepared by Moses (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/10-1.htm" title="At that time the LORD said to me, Hew you two tables of stone like to the first, and come up to me into the mount, and make you an ark of wood.">Deuteronomy 10:1-5</a>; <a href="/exodus/34-1.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Hew you two tables of stone like to the first: and I will write on these tables the words that were in the first tables, which you brake.">Exodus 34:1</a>; <a href="/exodus/34-28.htm" title="And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote on the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.">Exodus 34:28</a>). But the ark was made for the law, not the law for the ark. The mercy-seat above was the <span class= "ital">covering </span>of the law--the shield between that law and the people. Between the cherubim that formed the mercy-seat, was the throne of Jehovah. But the central thing, the only thing not of human workmanship, that remained in the ark, was "the law written with the finger of God." If we would exactly describe the position before us, we must say that the Israelites marched into Jordan led by the written law of God. The same written law, borne round the walls of Jericho, was the minister of vengeance to the Canaanites, as indeed it became afterwards to Israel when incautiously handled or invoked, as at Eben-ezer (1 Samuel 4), and as at Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6; comp. 2 Samuel 6), and also to the Philistines (1 Samuel 5). As soon as the army of Joshua reached the centre of Canaan, this same law was written on great stones in the heart of the country and became the law of the land. It is consistent with what we have already noted (<a href="/joshua/1-1.htm" title="Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,">Joshua 1:1</a>) as to the difference between Moses and Joshua, that under Moses the people should follow the cloudy pillar, and under Joshua, <span class= "ital">the written law of God. </span>But it is a strange picture, and one that may well call up our reverent wonder, that the Israelites should pass over Jordan and assail the Canaanites, <span class= "ital">with the ten commandments carried before them, and as it were leading the way. </span>Was not this the direct object of the conquest of Canaan, that God's law should not only have a people to obey it, but a country in which its working might be exhibited to the nations, as the law of the land? . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The officers.</span> LXX., <span class="greek">γραμματεις</span> (see <a href="/joshua/1-10.htm">Joshua 1:10</a>). This is evidently the history of the fulfilment of the command there given by Joshua. There he orders the officers to pass through the host; here the command is fulfilled. There is no reasonable doubt that the spies had returned before the order recorded in <a href="/joshua/1-10.htm">Joshua 1:10</a> had been given. Many commentators have raised objections to the order of the narrative in this and in the following chapter; and commentators like Houbigant, Masius (who says, "Narrationis ordo admodum perturbatus"), and Bishop Horsley, have suggested a different order of the verses. But Delitzsch has observed that the narrative is drawn up in a threefold order. First, the commencement of the crossing is detailed, from vers. 7-17 of this chapter; then (<a href="/joshua/4-1.htm">Joshua 4:1-14</a>), its further progress; lastly (<a href="/joshua/4-15.htm">Joshua 4:15-24</a>), its conclusion. And in each separate paragraph we have <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> God's command to Joshua; <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> Joshua's command to the people; and <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> their fulfilment of his command. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/3-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">After</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקְצֵ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(miq·ṣêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7097.htm">Strong's 7097: </a> </span><span class="str2">End, extremity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">three</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the officers</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשֹּׁטְרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šō·ṭə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7860.htm">Strong's 7860: </a> </span><span class="str2">A scribe, an official superintendent, magistrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעַבְר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aḇ·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקֶ֥רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nearest part, the center</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the camp</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma·ḥă·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4264.htm">Strong's 4264: </a> </span><span class="str2">An encampment, an army</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/3-2.htm">Joshua 3:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/3-2.htm">OT History: Joshua 3:2 It happened after three days that (Josh. 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