The Gemara taught that while the Israelites were in the Jordan River with the water standing up in a heap (as reported in ), Joshua told them that they were crossing the Jordan on condition that they would disinherit the inhabitants of the land, as says: "Then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you." Joshua told them that if they did this, it would be well and good; otherwise, the water would return and drown them.