A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the book of Joshua finished a little…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the booke of Iosue finished a little…

The last thing is such, as many at the first sight would make small account of it, and yet not without cause it is added as the heap of wickedness, that the consecrate or accursed things are laid up with their stuff. For surely, the covetousness of gain doth sometimes entice them that be not altogether wicked: but in hiding and keeping it close, great obstinacy is bewrayed, when the wickedness is touched with no repentance. In the next verse, the name of Anathema is taken in an other sense, for a curse: because the children of Israel, for the gold that was stolen, were accursed, and almost given to destruction.

The last thing is such, as many at the first sight would make small account of it, and yet not without cause it is added as the heape of wickednesse, that the consecrate or accursed thinges are laid vp with their stuffe. For surely, the couetousnesse of gaine doth sometimes intise them that be not altogether wicked: but in hiding and keeping it close, great obstinacie is bewrayed, when the wickednesse is touched with no repentance. In the next verse, the name of Anathema is taken in an other sense, for a curse: because the children of Israel, for the gold that was stolne, were accursed, and almost geuen to destruction.

13 Arise, sanctify the people, &c) Although the Verb KADASH is diversely taken: yet because he speaketh of purging the people, I doubt not but he prescribeth a solemn ceremony of sanctification. Therefore in my judgement they do not sufficiently express the writers mind, which translate it generally, To prepare. But rather, because they were to be brought as into the presence of GOD, they had need to be sanctified, that they should not appear before him in their uncleanness. And as concerning Joshua, the manner of sanctification is to be noted, that he commanded the people to purge themselves, according to the Law. And although the ceremony of it self had been to small purpose, yet it was of great force, to awake the rude people: for that outward oblation ought to bring them unto spiritual cleanness. Their abstaining from things otherwise lawful, did admonish them, that great and excellent pureness is required of them. They are told before, what should be done, that every one might examine himself more diligently.