서론
Joshua 3 Introduction
英文原文
The contents of this and the next chapter, which record the miraculous passage of Israel over Jordan, are given in four sections:
-1Jos 3:1-6, describing the preliminary directions;
-2Jos 3:7-17, the commencement of the passage;
-3Jos 4:1-14, the accomplishment of it;
-4Jos 4:15-24, the conclusion of the passage and erection of a monument to commemorate it.
A certain completeness and finish is given to each division of the narrative, and to effect this the writer more than once repeats himself, anticipates the actual order of events, and distributes into parts occurrences which in fact took place once for all.
1
Joshua 3:1
什亭的「皂莢樹叢」(見 Exodus 25:5 註釋)在約但河兩側排列於山谷較高的階地上(參 2 Kings 6:4)。在這一帶,它們距離河道本身約有六英里。
英文原文
"The acacia groves" (Exodus 25:5 note) of Shittim on both sides of Jordan line the upper terraces of the valley (compare 2 Kings 6:4). They would be in this part at some six miles distance from the river itself.
2
Joshua 3:2
這些日子(見 Joshua 1:11 註釋)無疑用於各樣的預備。這支隊伍不僅由武裝的男丁組成,還包括婦女孩童;在他們實際進入敵境之前,許多安排是必需的。
英文原文
These days (Joshua 1:11 note) were no doubt occupied in preparations of various kinds. The host consisted not of armed men only, but of women and children also; and many arrangements would be necessary before they actually advanced into a hostile country.
4
Joshua 3:4
約櫃自聖約訂立以來,就是神同在的特殊聖所與居座;它在前面行走,是要讓百姓知道,神正藉著約櫃作他們的引領者。他們要隔一段距離跟隨,以便更好地觀察並留意神蹟是如何成就的。當他們從高處下來、約櫃在他們前面進入峽谷時,他們這樣做最為有利。
英文原文
The ark, which was since the making of the covenant the special shrine and seat of God's presence, went before to show the people that God, through its medium, was their leader. They were to follow at a distance that they might the better observe and mark how the miracle was accomplished. This they would do to the greatest advantage while coming down the heights, the ark going on before them into the ravine.
6
Joshua 3:6
他們抬起——意即在次日。這裡是對事件進程的預先敘述。
英文原文
They took up - i. e. on the day following. The course of events is anticipated.
7
Joshua 3:7
我今日必使你在以色列眾人眼前尊大——這裡指出了即將敘述之神蹟得以施行的一個原因。正如摩西藉著他所行的神蹟——特別是使紅海分為兩半——被顯明為直接受神差遣、肩負特別使命，約書亞也照樣以同樣的方式受差遣並得著印證（參 Joshua 1:5 及 Joshua 4:14）。其他理由見 Joshua 3:10；Joshua 5:1。
英文原文
This day will I begin to magnify thee - One cause why the miracle now to be narrated was performed is here suggested. As Moses was declared to he sent immediately from God with an extraordinary commission by the miracles which he worked, more especially that of dividing the Red Sea in two parts, so was Joshua both sent and accredited in a like manner. (Compare Joshua 1:5, and Joshua 4:14.) Other reasons are given in Joshua 3:10; Joshua 5:1.
10
Joshua 3:10
永生神——請比較旁註。外邦人的神明是「死的偶像」。關於那七個民族的名字,見 Genesis 10:16 等處的註釋。
英文原文
The living God - Compare the marginal reference. The gods of the pagan are "dead idols." On the names of the seven nations, see Genesis 10:16, etc., note.
15
Joshua 3:15
約但河水漲過兩岸——更恰當的譯法是「漲滿到全部兩岸」,即「滿到岸緣」。這句話醒目地顯出這神蹟的突然與完全,不亞於其偉大。約但河流經深谷的底部,谷的兩側以兩級、有時三級的階地降至水邊。水流被拘限在最低一級階地之內;在這下游河段,平時的水流寬度不足一百英尺。岸邊長滿柽柳與柳樹的叢林,春天上漲的河水會淹到那裡(比較 Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44 的比喻);而河道至少有時會把它本來的河床——那道峽谷——注滿到邊緣。它的最高水位,大約正出現在約書亞必須渡河的時節。到四月中旬,這河便無法涉渡;若要過河,只能游過去。然而這是危險之舉(比較 1 Chronicles 12:15);兩個探子無疑這樣行了,但對跟隨約書亞的混雜大群眾來說,卻全然無能為力。這樣一支龐大的隊伍竟在這個季節渡過約但河,這事實本身就是這裡所記神蹟的一個不小證據。當時所知、可用的一切人為手段,都無法把他們迅速而安全地從此岸運到彼岸。
英文原文
Jordan overfloweth all his banks - Rather "is full up to all his banks," i. e. "brim-full." This remark strikingly illustrates the suddenness and completeness, not less than the greatness, of the marvel. The Jordan River flows at the bottom of a deep valley, which descends to the water's edge on either side in two, occasionally in three, terraces. Within the lowest of these the stream, ordinarily less than 100 feet wide in this lower part of its course, is confined. The margin is overgrown with a jungle of tamarisks and willows, which in the spring is reached by the rising waters (compare the figure in Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44); and the river, occasionally at least, fills the ravine which forms its proper bed to the brim. Its highest rise takes place about the time when Joshua had to cross it. By the middle of April the river cannot be forded; and, if passed at all, can only be so by swimming. This, however, was a hazardous feat (compare 1 Chronicles 12:15); and though no doubt performed by the two spies, was utterly out of the power of the mixed multitude that followed Joshua. The mere fact that the whole vast host crossed the stream of Jordan at this season, is no small proof of the miracle here recorded. No human agency then known and available could have transported them speedily and safely from bank to bank.
16
Joshua 3:16
這節經文應作:「水立起成壘,遠在亞當城,就是撒拉但旁邊的那城那裡。」
亞當城在別處沒有再被提及;撒拉但(見於本處及旁註)也已消失。不過,它大概與今日的庫爾恩·薩爾塔貝(Kurn Sartabeh,即「薩爾塔貝之角」)有關——那是一座高聳孤立之山的名稱,位於耶利哥上游約十七英里的河邊。
英文原文
The passage should run "rose up, an heap far away, by Adam, the city which is beside Zarthan."
The city of Adam is not named elsewhere, and Zarthan (mentioned here and in marginal references.) has also disappeared. It is, however, probably connected with the modern Kurn Sartabeh (Horn of Sartabeh), the name given to a lofty and isolated hill some 17 miles on the river above Jericho.
17
Joshua 3:17
經過約但河進入聖地的神蹟性渡越,其預表意義不亞於過紅海(比較 1 Corinthians 10:1-2)。約書亞就任聖職的莊嚴就職禮,以及他在同一片水中所得的神蹟性印證——耶穌開始公開傳道時,正是在這水中受洗的(比較 Matthew 3:16-17);從各支派中各選一人,共十二人,作十二塊石頭的扛抬者,並以之築成紀念碑(比較 1 Corinthians 3:10; Revelation 21:14):這些都是神所安排的事件,對以色列固然有當下的意義,卻另有更遠的指向。從這個觀點看,「亞當」這名字——那截斷百姓承受應許之水流的地方之名——以及供應死海的充沛急流在約書亞治理之下暫時止息,也不可忽略。
英文原文
The miraculous passage to the holy land through Jordan is not less pregnant with typical meaning than that through the Red Sea (compare 1 Corinthians 10:1-2). The solemn inauguration of Joshua to his office, and his miraculous attestation, by the same waters with which Jesus was baptized on entering on the public exercise of His ministry (compare Matthew 3:16-17); the choice of twelve men, one from each tribe to be the bearers of the twelve stones, and the builders of the monument erected therewith (compare 1 Corinthians 3:10; Revelation 21:14): these were divinely-ordered occurrences, not without a further bearing than their more immediate one upon Israel. Nor must in this point of view the name "Adam," the place where the stream flowed to the people which cut them off from the promises, and the failure for the time under the rule of Joshua of the full and rapid flood which supplies the Dead Sea, be overlooked.
本章與下一章記載以色列人奇蹟般渡過約但河的經過,其內容分為四段:
-1Jos 3:1-6,描述預備性的指示;
-2Jos 3:7-17,渡河的開始;
-3Jos 4:1-14,渡河的完成;
-4Jos 4:15-24,渡河的結束以及立碑以資紀念。
敘事的每一分段都被賦予某種完整性與完結感;為達到這一效果,作者不止一次重複敘述,提前交代事件的實際發展順序,並將實際上一次完成的事分作數段記述。