The tenth day of the first month, when the crossing of the Jordan took place, coincided with the day on which the Passover lamb was to be selected (Exodus 12:3). This was the day when the Israelites began their preparation to leave Egypt. Where this day had originally served to mark the beginning of their redemption, it now also marked its completion as they entered the Promised Land more than forty years later.1
19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.