Joshua 1:11 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 11. Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals— They were to make proclamation throughout the several tribes, in all the camps of Israel, to provide themselves with such victuals as the countries of Sihon and Og, which they had lately conquered, afforded. But to what purpose is this precaution, since the Israelites every morning found manna from heaven for their food? Without quoting all the answers given by interpreters to this question, we shall content ourselves with pointing out two or three. 1st, Joshua's order may be founded on his foreseeing that the Israelites would be obliged to decamp too early in the morning, to allow time for collecting manna, as usual; and therefore he judged it prudent to supply them with provisions before they began their march. 2nd, Though the manna daily fell for the accommodation of the poor, the feeble, and all who had no means of procuring themselves other food; yet those who could purchase flour and meat were not forbidden to use it. The Israelites actually had found great store of provisions in the land of the Amorites, which they had now for some time subdued. Calmet prefers this opinion. Le Clerc thinks, that Joshua issued this order, as conjecturing, or being miraculously informed, that the manna would cease so soon as they had passed the Jordan. 3rdly, Nothing hinders our translating the words, Prepare all necessary provisions, without restraining them to victuals only. The expression, for within three days, occasions new difficulties, which will be removed by a reference to chap. Joshua 3:1-2. Joshua says, ye shall pass over this Jordan; as it was not so far from Shittim, where they now lay encamped, but that they could see it.