Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
When ye see the ark . . ., and the priests the Levites bearing it—The usual position of the ark, when at rest, was in the center of the camp; and, during a march, in the middle of the procession. On this occasion it was to occupy the van, and be borne, not by the Kohathite Levites, but the priests, as on all solemn and extraordinary occasions (compare Numbers 4:15; Joshua 6:6; I Kings 8:3-6).
then ye shall . . . go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it—These instructions refer exclusively to the advance into the river. The distance which the people were to keep in the rear of the ark was nearly a mile. Had they crowded too near the ark, the view would have been intercepted, and this intervening space, therefore, was ordered, that the chest containing the sacred symbols might be distinctly visible to all parts of the camp, and be recognized as their guide in the untrodden way.
the officers went through the host; And they commanded the people—The instructions given at this time and in this place were different from those described (Joshua 1:11).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Joshua 3:4:
Numbers 32:20-33
Deuteronomy 31:9-13
Joshua 3:1
Micah 2:8
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