Albert Barnes Commentary Joshua 4

Take you twelve men - The order is given in the plural, because no doubt the tribes themselves were to choose their own representatives, the choice being approved by Joshua (Joshua 4:4). These twelve would be left with Joshua on this side of the river, waiting to receive his orders after the rest of the people had made their way across (Joshua 3:17; Joshua 4:1).

Laid them down there - that is, in Gilgal (Joshua 4:20). They are spoken of as the doers of this, because it was done by the twelve who acted for them.

A different set of stones is meant than the one previously mentioned. One set was erected by God's command at the spot where they spent the night (Joshua 4:3); the other was set up by Joshua on the spot where the priests’ feet rested while they bore up the ark during the people's passage. This spot was near, or perhaps on, the eastern bank . These stones would therefore mark the spot where the people crossed, just as the other stones marked the place where they lodged the night after the crossing; nor, since the stones would only be reached by the water in flood time (and then only by its utmost edge), is there any reason why they could not both be seen and continue in their place, as the writer asserts they did up to the time he wrote.

The plains of Jericho, consisting of the higher terrace of the Jordan valley, are almost seven miles broad. The mountains of Judaea here recede somewhat from the river, and leave a level and fertile space, which, at the time of Joshua’s invasion, was principally occupied by a forest of palms. Hence, the name city of palms (Deuteronomy 34:3).

The priests' passage to the farther bank has already been mentioned (Joshua 4:11). However, in keeping with his general plan (compare the introductory remarks to Joshua 3), the writer reintroduces it here as the leading feature in the concluding section of his account. As before, this includes a mention of God’s special direction concerning it.

The statement that the waters of the Jordan immediately returned to their former level upon the removal of the ark (Joshua 4:18) heightens the impression especially emphasized throughout—namely, that the entire transaction was extraordinary and miraculous.

The details and incidents of this passage are undoubtedly open to various discussions. However, all such discussion will be futile unless it proceeds from the admission that we have before us the record of a distinctly supernatural interposition (compare the introduction to the Book of Joshua).