“Y’hoshua instructed the officials of the people to go through the camp and order the people, “Prepare provisions, because in three days you will cross this Yarden to go in and take possession of the land Adonai your God is giving you.”-Joshua 1:10
Alrighty, the time for action has now arrived!
Up until verse 10, God has been commanding and encouraging Joshua but now the scene shifts.
It is now Joshua’s turn to give out orders to the officers of his army and get organized and prepared.
The soldiers must gather food and supplies because in just 3 short days, Israel will be breaking camp and then marching towards the Jordan River or in Hebrew the “Yarden” River.
What exactly does “Yarden” mean?
It simply means “that which descends from Dan”.
This refers to the fact that the river itself flows downward from the city of Dan.
If you ever have the chance to go on a tour of the famous Biblical sites, know that the origination point of this river (the headwaters of the Jordan) is the same thing as the famous Grotto of Paneas (or “Grotto of Pan” for short) located at Caesarea of Philippi.
Okay I betcha some of you are thinking…
…how in the heck can this river be named after the Tribe of Dan…
…when it won’t be a good 100 years or more…
…until after Moses has passed away…
…that Dan ever occupied the headwaters of this river named after them?
Well homies, this is what we call a redaction or a later edit.
Obviously, the name “Yarden” was inserted into the Bible later so that the folks would know exactly which river was being talked about.
What was the Jordan River called before it was called the “Jordan River”?
I don’t know man.
You’re asking me to tell you what the Canaanites themselves called the river and I’m not so sure we even have historical sources that would tell us what they called it.
But who cares.
The land was taken over by Israel anyway.
Just know this.
The replacing of older names with newer ones for ancient cities and rivers etcetera was a common practice and happened a lot in Bible times.
Thank you great teacher. Suddenly, you read my mind when you raised my questions as to naming of the river Jordan taking its roots from Dan. Good enough you provided the answer.
My biggest takehome is the issue with the renaming for clarity and consistency in identifying ancient towns and rivers. It makes a lot of sense. Otherwise if everything was written in their original names and expressions I bet by the time we finished reading some passages to understand it may purport we learn the entire ancient language of a sort.
God bless you again and again.
Abraham,
Your Teachings Are Very Inspiring May God Give You More Of His Grace
Thank you Reckson.
“in the heck”. Means “what in the hell!”
Please reread in your comments / teaching where you are using cursing and cull them out. Maybe study what are euphemisms that apply to God….like gosh, golly, jeez, etc and not use them.
Thank you for taking this into consideration.