* Sun.
Joshua doubtless acted, on this occasion, by an immediate
impulse upon his mind from the Spirit of God. The terms here
employed to record the miracle, agree with the accustomed
manner in which the the motions of the earth and sun are
described in our own day. The sun apparently moves, but
really is stationary; while the diurnal movement of the earth
on its axis is by us unnoticed, and would not have been known
except by astronomical science. The sun appeared to the
Israelites over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of
Ajalon, and there they stayed in their course for "a whole
day." Many vain enquiries have been made concerning the way
in which this miracle was wrought, and many difficulties and
objections have been urged against understanding it literally.
But the fact is authenticated by the Divine testimony; and the
manner in which it was accomplished lies entirely out of our
province, because beyond our comprehension.
13 De 4:19 17:3 Job 9:7 31:26,27 Ps 19:4 74:16 148:3
Isa 28:21 38:8 60:20 Am 8:9 Hab 3:11
* stand thou. Heb. be silent.
Hab 2:20 *marg:
Zec 2:13
* Ajalon.
19:42 Jud 12:12
* Aijalon.
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