Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan. Joshua's mission was that of a military leader. This passage records his call to begin the actual work to which he had been previously designated. The address contains a literal repetition of the promise made to Moses (Deuteronomy 11:24-25), and by him conveyed to Joshua a short time before the close of his career (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Deuteronomy 31:23). But in the divine commission now given to Joshua, there is a change of expression adapted to the altered circumstances; for whereas the words used to Moses were, Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours," the terms of the address to Joshua are, "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you," referring to the approaching fulfillment of the promise. "This Jordan" indicates that the river was in full view of the Hebrew camp in Shittim.