יהושע, פרק ד׳, פסוק ב׳

As the Israelites cross the Jordan River, a monumental event unfolds that requires a lasting physical memorial. God commands the selection of representatives from every tribe to lift stones from the riverbed, ensuring that the sheer magnitude of the miracle is publicized and remembered for all future generations [רלב״ג].

The identity of these twelve men is a matter of discussion. One perspective maintains that they are the exact same individuals Joshua was told to prepare earlier [רש״י]. However, another approach suggests that this is a completely new directive to select a different group. According to this view, the first group was chosen specifically to stand as official witnesses to the exact moment the waters split when the priests stepped into the river. In contrast, this second group is appointed strictly for the physical task of carrying the heavy stones [מלבי״ם, חומת אנך].

This distinction shapes the type of people chosen for each task. The initial selection required individuals who could officially stand in for and represent their entire tribe, meaning they had to be high-ranking tribal leaders of equal, elevated status. The current group, however, consists of ordinary men drawn from the general population, selected simply to perform the labor [מלבי״ם].

Although later events describe these stone-carriers as men whom Joshua had already prepared—seemingly implying they were chosen well in advance—this actually highlights his swift dedication. The moment he received this new command from God, he acted with immediate urgency, organizing and preparing the new group for their mission without a moment of delay [חומת אנך].