When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua,
l. And it came to pass, etc The brief and obscure allusion previously made with regard to the twelve men he now explains more at length. He had said that they were chosen by the order of God, one each from his own tribe; but breaking off his discourse, he had not mentioned for what purpose.
We may well imagine how busy Joshua and all the men of war were while they were passing over Jordan, when besides their own marching into an enemy's country, and in the face of the enemy, which could not but occasion them many thoughts of hear, they had their wives, and children, and families, their cattle, and tents, and all their effects, bag and baggage...
Commenting on Joshua 4:1-9
And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan,.... As related, Jos 3:17, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying: as follows.