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Joshua 3

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Early the next morningבַּבֹּ֜קֶרbab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study → Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → got upוַיַּשְׁכֵּם֩way·yaš·kêm — To rise early, get up in the morningH7925 — Full Word Study → and leftוַיִּסְע֣וּway·yis·‘ū — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → Shittimמֵֽהַשִּׁטִּ֗יםmê·haš·šiṭ·ṭîm — Acacia treesH7851 — Full Word Study → with allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. They wentוַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙way·yā·ḇō·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → asעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → far as the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןhay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study →, where they campedוַיָּלִ֥נוּway·yā·li·nū — to lodge, dwell, or remain (overnight or permanently)H3885 — Full Word Study → beforeטֶ֥רֶםṭe·rem — before, ere, prior to, not yetH2962 — Full Word Study → crossing overיַעֲבֹֽרוּ׃ya·‘ă·ḇō·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study →. 2Afterמִקְצֵ֖הmiq·ṣêh — edge, border, extremity, endH7097 — Full Word Study → threeשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁתšə·lō·šeṯ — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → daysיָמִ֑יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → the officersהַשֹּׁטְרִ֖יםhaš·šō·ṭə·rîm — Official; administrator; taskmasterH7860 — Full Word Study → wentוַיַּעַבְר֥וּway·ya·‘aḇ·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → throughבְּקֶ֥רֶבbə·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → the campהַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ham·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → 3and commandedוַיְצַוּוּ֮way·ṣaw·wū — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → the peopleהָעָ֣םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →: “When you seeכִּרְאֽוֹתְכֶ֗םkir·’ō·wṯ·ḵem — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֤וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantבְּרִית־bə·rîṯ- — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → being carriedנֹשְׂאִ֖יםnō·śə·’îm — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → by the Leviticalהַלְוִיִּ֔םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → priestsוְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, youוְאַתֶּ֗םwə·’at·tem — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are to set outתִּסְעוּ֙tis·‘ū — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → from your positionsמִמְּק֣וֹמְכֶ֔םmim·mə·qō·wm·ḵem — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → and followוַהֲלַכְתֶּ֖םwa·hă·laḵ·tem — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → itאַחֲרָֽיו׃’a·ḥă·rāw — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →. 4Butאַ֣ךְ׀’aḵ — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → keep a distanceרָח֣וֹקrā·ḥō·wq — distant, far away, remote in space or timeH7350 — Full Word Study → of about two thousandכְּאַלְפַּ֥יִםkə·’al·pa·yim — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → cubitsאַמָּ֖ה’am·māh — Cubit; forearm; unit of linear measurementH520 — Full Word Study → between yourselvesבֵּֽינֵיכֶם֙bê·nê·ḵem — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → and the arkוּבֵינוֹū·ḇē·nō — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study →. Do notאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → go near itתִּקְרְב֣וּtiq·rə·ḇū — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study →, so thatלְמַ֤עַןlə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → you can seeתֵּֽדְעוּ֙tê·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → the wayהַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙had·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → to goתֵּֽלְכוּ־tê·lə·ḵū- — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have neverלֹ֧אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → traveledעֲבַרְתֶּ֛ם‘ă·ḇar·tem — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → this wayבַּדֶּ֖רֶךְbad·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → beforeמִתְּמ֥וֹלmit·tə·mō·wl — Yesterday; time past; formerlyH8543 — Full Word Study →.” 5Then Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → toldוַיֹּ֧אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the peopleהָעָ֖םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, “Consecrate yourselvesהִתְקַדָּ֑שׁוּhiṯ·qad·dā·šū — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → tomorrowמָחָ֗רmā·ḥār — tomorrow, the next dayH4279 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will doיַעֲשֶׂ֧הya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → wondersנִפְלָאֽוֹת׃nip̄·lā·’ō·wṯ — to be wonderful, perform miracles, do marvelous thingsH6381 — Full Word Study → among youבְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖םbə·qir·bə·ḵem — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study →.” 6And he saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, “Takeשְׂאוּ֙śə·’ū — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantהַבְּרִ֔יתhab·bə·rîṯ — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → and go onוְעִבְר֖וּwə·‘iḇ·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → ahead ofלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the peopleהָעָ֑םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →.” So they carriedוַיִּשְׂאוּ֙way·yiś·’ū — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantהַבְּרִ֔יתhab·bə·rîṯ — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → and wentוַיֵּלְכ֖וּway·yê·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → aheadלִפְנֵ֥יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of themהָעָֽם׃סhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 7Now the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study →, “Todayהַיּ֣וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → I will beginאָחֵל֙’ā·ḥêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → to exalt youגַּדֶּלְךָ֔gad·del·ḵā — to grow, become great, magnifyH1431 — Full Word Study → in the sightבְּעֵינֵ֖יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, soאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → they may knowיֵֽדְע֔וּןyê·ḏə·‘ūn — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֗יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I amהָיִ֛יתִיhā·yî·ṯî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → with youעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → just asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → I wasאֶהְיֶ֥ה’eh·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → withעִמָּֽךְ׃‘im·māḵ — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֖הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →. 8Commandתְּצַוֶּה֙tə·ṣaw·weh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → the priestsהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → carryingנֹשְׂאֵ֥יnō·śə·’ê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲרֽוֹן־’ă·rō·wn- — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantהַבְּרִ֖יתhab·bə·rîṯ — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study →: ‘When you reachכְּבֹאֲכֶ֗םkə·ḇō·’ă·ḵem — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → the edgeקְצֵה֙qə·ṣêh — edge, border, extremity, endH7097 — Full Word Study → of the watersמֵ֣יmê — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →, standתַּעֲמֹֽדוּ׃פta·‘ă·mō·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → in the Jordanבַּיַּרְדֵּ֖ןbay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study →.’” 9So Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → toldוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, “Comeגֹּ֣שׁוּgō·šū — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → hereהֵ֔נָּהhên·nāh — here, now, thus, in this placeH2008 — Full Word Study → and listenוְשִׁמְע֕וּwə·šim·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to the wordsדִּבְרֵ֖יdiḇ·rê — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →.” 10Heיְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → continuedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “This is howבְּזֹאת֙bə·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → you will knowתֵּֽדְע֔וּןtê·ḏə·‘ūn — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the livingחַ֖יḥay — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → God is among youבְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑םbə·qir·bə·ḵem — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → and that He will surely drive outוְהוֹרֵ֣שׁwə·hō·w·rêš — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study → before youמִ֠פְּנֵיכֶםmip·pə·nê·ḵem — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the Canaanitesהַכְּנַעֲנִ֨יhak·kə·na·‘ă·nî — Canaanite; merchant or traderH3669 — Full Word Study →, Hittitesהַחִתִּ֜יha·ḥit·tî — Hittite personH2850 — Full Word Study →, Hivitesהַחִוִּ֗יha·ḥiw·wî — Hivite peopleH2340 — Full Word Study →, Perizzitesהַפְּרִזִּי֙hap·pə·riz·zî — Inhabitants of the open landH6522 — Full Word Study →, Girgashitesהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֔יhag·gir·gā·šî — Girgashite peopleH1622 — Full Word Study →, Amoritesוְהָאֱמֹרִ֖יwə·hā·’ĕ·mō·rî — Canaanite peoplesH567 — Full Word Study →, and Jebusitesוְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃wə·hay·ḇū·sî — Inhabitant of JebusH2983 — Full Word Study →. 11Beholdהִנֵּה֙hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantהַבְּרִ֔יתhab·bə·rîṯ — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → of the Lordאֲד֖וֹן’ă·ḏō·wn — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָ֑רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → will goעֹבֵ֥ר‘ō·ḇêr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → ahead of youלִפְנֵיכֶ֖םlip̄·nê·ḵem — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → into the Jordanבַּיַּרְדֵּֽן׃bay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study →. 12Nowוְעַתָּ֗הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → chooseקְח֤וּqə·ḥū — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → twelveשְׁנֵ֣יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → menאִ֔ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → from the tribesמִשִּׁבְטֵ֖יmiš·šiḇ·ṭê — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, oneאֶחָ֥ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → from each tribeלַשָּֽׁבֶט׃laš·šā·ḇeṭ — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study →. 13When the feetכַּפּ֣וֹתkap·pō·wṯ — Palm of the hand; hollow of anything; power or controlH3709 — Full Word Study → of the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֡יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → who carryנֹשְׂאֵי֩nō·śə·’ê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֨וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →the Lordאֲד֤וֹן’ă·ḏō·wn — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָ֙רֶץ֙hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →touch downכְּנ֣וֹחַkə·nō·w·aḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → in the watersבְּמֵ֣יbə·mê — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → of the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןhay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study →, itsהַיַּרְדֵּן֙hay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study → flowingהַיֹּרְדִ֖יםhay·yō·rə·ḏîm — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → watersמֵ֤יmê — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → will be cut offיִכָּ֣רֵת֔וּןyik·kā·rê·ṯūn — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → and will stand upוְיַעַמְד֖וּwə·ya·‘am·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → in aאֶחָֽד׃’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → heapנֵ֥דnêḏ — a heap or pile, especially of stones or grainH5067 — Full Word Study →.” 14Soוַיְהִ֗יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → when the peopleהָעָם֙hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → broke campבִּנְסֹ֤עַbin·sō·a‘ — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → to crossלַעֲבֹ֖רla·‘ă·ḇōr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּ֑ןhay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study →, the priestsוְהַכֹּהֲנִ֗יםwə·hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → carriedנֹֽשְׂאֵ֛יnō·śə·’ê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the arkהָאָר֥וֹןhā·’ā·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantהַבְּרִ֖יתhab·bə·rîṯ — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → ahead ofלִפְנֵ֥יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → them. 15Now the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןhay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study → overflowsמָלֵא֙mā·lê — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → its banksגְּדוֹתָ֔יוgə·ḏō·w·ṯāw — bank of a river or streamH1415 — Full Word Study → throughoutכֹּ֖לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the harvestקָצִֽיר׃qā·ṣîr — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study → seasonיְמֵ֥יyə·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. But as soon as the priestsהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → carryingנֹשְׂאֵ֤יnō·śə·’ê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the arkהָֽאָרוֹן֙hā·’ā·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → reachedוּכְב֞וֹאū·ḵə·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → the Jordanוְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ןwə·hay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study → and their feet touchedנִטְבְּל֖וּniṭ·bə·lū — to dip or immerse in liquidH2881 — Full Word Study → the water’sהַמָּ֑יִםham·mā·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → edgeבִּקְצֵ֣הbiq·ṣêh — edge, border, extremity, endH7097 — Full Word Study →, 16the flowingהַיֹּרְדִ֨יםhay·yō·rə·ḏîm — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → waterהַמַּיִם֩ham·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → stood stillוַיַּעַמְד֡וּway·ya·‘am·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study →. It backed upקָ֣מוּqā·mū — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → as far upstreamהַרְחֵ֨קhar·ḥêq — to be far, remove, distance oneselfH7368 — Full Word Study → as Adamבָאָדָםḇå̄·ʾå̄·ḏå̄m — Man, mankindH121 — Full Word Study →, a cityהָעִיר֙hā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → in the areaמִצַּ֣דmiṣ·ṣaḏ — side, flank, edgeH6654 — Full Word Study → of Zarethanצָֽרְתָ֔ןṣā·rə·ṯān — A place of olive grovesH6891 — Full Word Study →, while the water flowingוְהַיֹּרְדִ֗יםwə·hay·yō·rə·ḏîm — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → towardעַ֣ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Seaיָ֧םyām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → of the Arabahהָעֲרָבָ֛הhā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh — The Rift ValleyH6160 — Full Word Study → (the Salt Seaיָם־yām- — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →) was completelyתַּ֣מּוּtam·mū — to finish, complete, bring to an endH8552 — Full Word Study → cut offנִכְרָ֑תוּniḵ·rā·ṯū — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study →. So the peopleוְהָעָ֥םwə·hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → crossed overעָבְר֖וּ‘ā·ḇə·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → oppositeנֶ֥גֶדne·ḡeḏ — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study → Jerichoיְרִיחֽוֹ׃yə·rî·ḥōw — City of palmsH3405 — Full Word Study →. 17The priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֡יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → carryingנֹ֠שְׂאֵיnō·śə·’ê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the arkהָאָר֨וֹןhā·’ā·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantבְּרִית־bə·rîṯ- — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → stoodוַיַּעַמְד֣וּway·ya·‘am·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → firmהָכֵ֑ןhā·ḵên — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → on dry groundבֶּחָֽרָבָ֛הbe·ḥā·rā·ḇāh — Dry ground or parched landH2724 — Full Word Study → in the middleבְּת֥וֹךְbə·ṯō·wḵ — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → of the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּ֖ןhay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study →, while allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → crossed overעֹֽבְרִים֙‘ō·ḇə·rîm — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → the dry groundבֶּחָ֣רָבָ֔הbe·ḥā·rā·ḇāh — Dry ground or parched landH2724 — Full Word Study →, untilעַ֤ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the entireכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → nationהַגּ֔וֹיhag·gō·w — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → had crossedלַעֲבֹ֖רla·‘ă·ḇōr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃hay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Joshua 3
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Joshua 3 records one of Scripture's most dramatic miracles—the crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground. After forty years of wilderness wandering, Israel stands at the threshold of God's promised inheritance. This chapter demonstrates how God's presence, signified by the ark of the covenant, goes before His people to accomplish what is humanly impossible. The narrative emphasizes preparation, faith, obedience, and the power of God to make a way where there seems to be no way.

Verses 1–5: Preparation and Sanctification

Joshua and all Israel journey from Shittim to the Jordan River and camp there, waiting for the next phase of God's plan (v. 1). After three days, officers command the people with clear instructions: follow the ark of the covenant, keeping a distance of about two thousand cubits so they can see the way (vv. 2–4). This distance was both practical and symbolic—it kept the people focused on God's leadership rather than trusting their own sight or strength.

Joshua then calls the people to sanctify themselves, announcing that tomorrow the Lord will perform wonders (v. 5). Sanctification here means separation from sin and consecration to God's purpose. The people must approach this miracle with clean hearts and obedient spirits. This reminds us that encountering God's power requires spiritual preparation; faith is not passive but involves active commitment to righteousness.

Verses 6–8: God's Promise to Joshua

Joshua commands the priests to carry the ark and lead the people forward (v. 6). The Lord then speaks directly to Joshua, promising to magnify him before all Israel, confirming that He will be with Joshua as He was with Moses (v. 7). This assurance was crucial for Joshua's leadership credibility during this critical transition moment. The Lord then gives specific instructions: when the priests' feet touch the Jordan's waters, they must stand still, and the river will be cut off (v. 8).

God's word to Joshua teaches us that faithful leaders need reassurance too. Joshua received not only tactical instructions but personal affirmation of God's presence with him.

Verses 9–13: Preparation and Sign

Joshua addresses Israel directly, calling them to hear God's word (v. 9). He announces that the living God dwells among them and will drive out all seven nations of Canaan—naming them specifically (v. 10). The ark passing over Jordan first becomes the sign of God's presence and power (v. 11).

Joshua then commands the selection of twelve men, one from each tribe (v. 12)—a detail that connects to chapter 4's memorial stones. He prophesies exactly what will happen: as soon as the priests' feet touch Jordan's waters, the river upstream will be stopped and piled up like a heap (v. 13). God gives His people advance notice of His miracle, building faith through His word before the event itself.

Verses 14–17: The Miracle Accomplished

The people break camp and move toward the Jordan (v. 14). The priests carrying the ark reach the river, which is overflowing its banks during harvest season—the worst possible time to cross (v. 15). Yet the moment their feet touch the water, the waters upstream stop and stand up in a heap near the city of Adam, while the lower waters drain away toward the Dead Sea (v. 16). The priests stand firm on dry ground in the middle of the river while all Israel passes over on dry ground (v. 17).

This miracle parallels the Red Sea crossing, proving God's faithfulness across generations and confirming Joshua's leadership. The priests remaining in the riverbed (as we'll see in chapter 4) symbolize faith that stands firm even in the face of danger.

Application for Today

Like Israel at Jordan, we face impossible circumstances that require us to trust God's leadership, sanctify our hearts, and follow His word. God often calls us to step into the water before He parts it—to move forward in faith based on His promises, not our feelings. Do you need courage to cross a Jordan today? Remember: the God who dried up a raging river in harvest season is present with you, magnifying His faithfulness in your life.

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