“On the day you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster.”-Deuteronomy 27:2
Okay, right off the bat from verse 2 of Deuteronomy 27, we encounter another one of those “difficulties” that nitpicking scholars just love to point to in order to discredit the trustworthiness of Scripture.
We’re told that as soon as the Israelites cross over the Jordan River into Promised Land territory, they are to set up large stones to serve as memorial markers.
Now here’s where the problem lies.
We’re told they were to erect the stones at Mount Ebal which is a whopping 30 miles north of where the Israelites will be once they cross over the Jordan near Jericho.
And given the rugged terrain, the journey from where the Israelites will be when they cross the Jordan to get to Mount Ebal would take about five days.
So when certain Bible translations say “on the day you have crossed over the Jordan“, they are to erect stones at Ebal, it would appear to be a distinct impossibility.
So how to solve this “difficulty”?
The solution is simple.
When it says, “on the day” they have crossed the Jordan, don’t take it literally.
Understand that it’s just a common way of speaking that means the Israelites are to be quick and efficient about their task once they’ve crossed over the Jordan.
It doesn’t mean they have to get the job done before the sun sets or they’re toast.
In fact, I think it would be much better if ALL English Bibles just said “once you have crossed the Jordan”.
I’m done.
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