Charles Ellicott Commentary Joshua 3:7

"And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee." — Joshua 3:7 (ASV)

The Lord said to Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify you ... —Compare Joshua 4:14, on that day the Lord magnified Joshua. These words mark the beginning and end of the section.

The details that follow in Joshua 4:15 and following seem to be added by way of appendix. The passage of Jordan, being the principal event, is presented by itself, and other particulars of attendant circumstances are given separately. A somewhat similar plan appears to be adopted in Joshua 10:0, but the arrangement of both narratives is at first sight somewhat complex and not quite clear.

It is here stated that the passage of Jordan was to be to Joshua what the giving of the law at Sinai was to Moses, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you for ever (Exodus 19:9). But the power which establishes Joshua is the work of the written instead of the spoken word.