First of all, it was before they crossed the Jordan, not after. The males born during the
forty years in the wilderness had not been circumcised, because at every moment during
the entire forty years, the nation was either traveling or else ready for the signal telling
them to pick up and get going, which would have been hazardous for newly-circumcised
infants.
It had to be done, however, before they set foot in Canaan, because entering this land
promised to their forefathers, i.e. Israel, is a thing much different from stepping over the
border between Delaware and Maryland, or from Texas into Mexico, and the nation had to
be spiritually prepared and committed to their mission, before they could be worthy to
pursue the conquest of the land, let alone to inherit it as a possession. An uncircumcised
male simply doesn't qualify.
Also, there were sacrifices that needed to be brought and couldn't be until they were circumcised. Circumcision is a requirement to bring offerings.
According to the Bible, Joshua led the Israelites across the River Jordan.
The Israelites crossed the Jordan River twice. The first crossing occurred when they entered the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, as recounted in the Book of Joshua, when the waters of the river were miraculously parted. The second crossing happened later when they returned to the eastern side of the Jordan for various reasons, including the allocation of land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
Moses crossed the red sea in order to escape from the Egyptians and slavery. After they crossed the Red Sea, they wandered around for 40 years. At last, they were guided by God to the promised land which they had to cross the Jordan River to enter. Unfortunately Moses died just before they entered the promised land, so the Israelites were guided by Joshua. So the Red Sea: escaping from slavery in Egypt. The Jordan River: entering the promised land.
Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter Canaan. God miraculously stopped the river's flow to allow them to pass safely.
Although the exact duration is not given, it was a matter of months - not more.
The first event in the Battle of Jericho is the Israelites crossing the Jordan River led by Joshua with the Ark of the Covenant. This marked the beginning of their military campaign to conquer the city of Jericho.
According to Joshua chapter 3, the Jordan was in flood because it was the time of the harvest. The priests set down the Ark of the Covenant at the brim of the water. The Jordan stooped flowing and the Israelites crossed over the dry river bed. Then Joshua asked the men to take 12 stones from the dry river bed and place them where they would camp.
According to the Biblical narrative (Joshua ch.3-4) ... the only available source for an answer ... the Israelites crossed the Jordan River from what is now Jordan into the Promised Land near Jericho, just north of the Dead Sea. Historians, however, have found no evidence for such a crossing.
The major events in the narrative of Joshua include the crossing of the Jordan River, the battle of Jericho, the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, and the renewal of the covenant at Shechem. Key personalities include Joshua, Moses, Rahab, and Caleb. These events and personalities play a significant role in the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land by the Israelites.
In the Bible, the term "Jordan" refers to the Jordan River, a significant geographical feature in the ancient Near East. It holds religious and symbolic importance in biblical contexts, as it was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua to enter the Promised Land. The crossing of the Jordan River symbolizes a transition, a new beginning, and a passage into God's promises.
AnswerAccording to Joshua chapter 3, the Jordan River was stopped, to allow the Israelites to cross. There is no extra-biblical evidence of this miraculous event.
The crossing of the Jordan River, as accounted in the Book of Joshua would not have taken very long. The River itself is not powerful (aside from the fact that they crossed on dry land) and it is not terribly wide. It probably took a few hours considering how many Israelites were crossing.