“cross over.” “Cross over” is a theme and key phrase in Joshua (cp. Josh. 1:11).

“before the people.” The Hebrew can mean “before” in the sense of “ahead of,” or it can mean “before” in the sense of “in the presence of,” that is, in the presence of the people such that the people can see the ark and gain courage from it. Actually, the Hebrew text could well have both meanings here (cp. Josh. 1:14).