John Calvin Commentary Joshua 10:13

"And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day." — Joshua 10:13 (ASV)

And the sun stood still, etc. The question of how the sun stood in Gibeon is raised by some as unseasonably as it is explained unskillfully by others. For Joshua did not subtly place the sun in any particular point, making it necessary to pretend that the battle was fought at the summer solstice; but as it was turning towards the district of Ajalon, as far as the eye could discern, Joshua commanded it to stay and rest there—in other words, to remain above what is called the horizon. In short, the sun, which was already declining to the west, is kept from setting.

I am not greatly concerned about the number of hours, because it is enough for me that the day was continued through the whole night. If histories from that period still existed, they would doubtless celebrate this great miracle. Lest its credibility be questioned, however, the writer of this book mentions that an account of it was given elsewhere—though the work he quotes has been lost, and commentators do not fully agree on the term Jazar.

Those who think Moses is meant insist on referring the example given here to general predictions. Since Moses applies this name to the chosen people, it is more fitting to maintain that commentaries on the events in their history are meant. For my part, I understand by it either God or Israel, rather than the author of a history.