Joshua 1:11

Victuals. From a word whose root meaning is “to hunt.” The derived masculine noun means “venison.” Through usage it had come to mean “provisions” in general, as for a journey. This could not refer to the manna, for that fell daily (Exodus 16:4); yet soon it would cease forever (Joshua 5:11, 12). Joshua’s command probably anticipated that day as well as the crossing of the Jordan.

Within three days. The question naturally arises, How can it be said that Israel was to cross the Jordan “within three days” when the spies, who seem not to have been sent out as yet, remained three days in the mountains (Joshua 2:22), and the people seem not to have passed over for another three days (Joshua 3:2)? Some say the time statements are not exact; others claim that chapters 1:11 and 3:2 cannot be identified as to time. Still others attempt to shorten the three days of the spies to parts of days, and thus harmonize the two statements; and others, that the word “within” did not mean that they would pass over “within three days,” but only leave Shittim within that time (see Joshua 3:1). The further explanation has been made that Joshua intended to pass over “within three days,” but that his plan was frustrated by the delay the two spies experienced. None of these explanations, however, are satisfactory.

The word translated “within” is a combination of ‘od, “continuation,” “duration,” and the preposition he, “within” or “in the continuation of.” The Septuagint renders “within three days” (Joshua 1:11) as “yet three days,” and the Syriac, “from this time to three days,” or “within three days.” The word translated “after” in Joshua 3:2 is from the preposition min, “from,” “after,” and qaseh, “end” or “extremity.” It thus reads, literally, “from the end of’ the three days. In either case both “within” (Joshua 1:11) and “after” (Joshua 3:2) refer to approximately the same time. Two facts are clear: (1) The spies were sent out from Shittim and returned to Shittim (chapters 2:1 and 2:23 to 3:1). (2) The morning after their return the people left Shittim for the Jordan, some 7 miles away, and lodged there 3 days (Joshua 3:2) before crossing. See pages 136, 137.

The command of Joshua 1:10, 11, though recorded here, was not actually issued till after the return of the spies (Patriarchs and Prophets 483). Thus the account of Joshua 2, concerning the two spies, precedes the command of Joshua 1:10, 11. Such proleptic transpositions are frequent in Scripture (see on Genesis 38:1; 39:1). Their purpose is to preserve continuity. Here Joshua’s purpose was to let it be known that he did issue orders in harmony with the command he had just received from God (verses 1-9), and that without undue delay. For a chronological analysis of the sequence of events, see on Joshua 3:2.