King James Version

What Does Joshua 3:13 Mean?

Joshua 3:13 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of al...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.”

Joshua 3:13 · KJV

Context

11

Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.

12

Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

13

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

14

And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;

15

And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse predicts the specific miracle God will perform—waters piling up upstream when priests' feet touch the Jordan. The title 'the Lord of all the earth' (adon kol-haarets, אֲדוֹן כָּל־הָאָרֶץ) emphasizes Yahweh's universal sovereignty over all creation, not merely Israel's tribal deity but the cosmic King. This title appears rarely in Scripture (Micah 4:13; Zechariah 4:14; 6:5), highlighting the magnitude of the coming miracle. The ark represents God's throne and presence, and 'the Lord of all the earth' dwelling in the ark demonstrates that heaven's King has come to fight for Israel. The phrase 'shall be cut off' (yikarethun, יִכָּרְתוּן) uses a passive verb indicating divine action—God Himself will cut off the waters. The waters 'shall stand upon an heap' (yaamdu ned echad, יַעַמְדוּ נֵד אֶחָד) describes waters rising vertically like a wall or mound, defying natural gravity and flow. This echoes the Red Sea miracle (Exodus 15:8) where waters 'stood upright as an heap,' establishing typological parallel between the two redemptive events.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jordan River during spring flood season (verse 15) overflowed its banks, making crossing humanly impossible. The river, though only 80-100 feet wide normally, swelled to perhaps 200 feet wide and much deeper during this season. God's timing ensured the miracle would be undeniable—not merely finding a fordable spot but supernatural water stoppage. Ancient Near Eastern peoples believed territorial deities controlled only limited regions, but Israel's God demonstrating power over the Jordan announced His universal sovereignty. The ark of the covenant, containing the tablets of the law, Aaron's rod, and manna, represented God's covenant presence. Priests bearing the ark led the crossing, showing that God Himself went before Israel into the promised land. Archaeological and geological evidence suggests possible earthquake-caused landslides occasionally blocked the Jordan at Adam (verse 16), but the timing precisely when priests' feet touched water demonstrates divine providence controlling natural phenomena for redemptive purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God as 'Lord of all the earth' (not merely your personal deity) expand your understanding of His sovereignty?
  2. What 'Jordan River' obstacles in your life seem impossible to cross, requiring God to defy natural laws to provide passage?
  3. How does the ark leading Israel through Jordan illustrate Christ going before His people through death into resurrection life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָיָ֡ה1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּנ֣וֹחַ2 of 22

“shall rest”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

כַּפּ֣וֹת3 of 22

“And it shall come to pass as soon as the soles”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

רַגְלֵ֣י4 of 22

“of the feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֡ים5 of 22

“of the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

נֹֽשְׂאֵי֩6 of 22

“that bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֲר֨וֹן7 of 22

“the ark”

H727

a box

יְהוָ֜ה8 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲד֤וֹן9 of 22

“the Lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

כָּל10 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙11 of 22

“of all the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַמַּ֥יִם12 of 22

“from the waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

הַיַּרְדֵּן֙13 of 22

“of Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

הַמַּ֥יִם14 of 22

“from the waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

הַיַּרְדֵּן֙15 of 22

“of Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

יִכָּ֣רֵת֔וּן16 of 22

“shall be cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הַמַּ֥יִם17 of 22

“from the waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

הַיֹּֽרְדִ֖ים18 of 22

“that come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִלְמָ֑עְלָה19 of 22

“from above”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

וְיַֽעַמְד֖וּ20 of 22

“and they shall stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

נֵ֥ד21 of 22

“heap”

H5067

a mound, i.e., wave

אֶחָֽד׃22 of 22

“upon an”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 3:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 3:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 15:8Psalms 78:13Joshua 3:15-16Joshua 3:11Exodus 14:19-22Habakkuk 3:15

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Joshua 3 →

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