King James Version

What Does Joshua 3:15 Mean?

Joshua 3:15 in the King James Version says “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 br... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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,)

Joshua 3:15 · KJV


Context

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,)

16

That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

17

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The timing when Jordan 'overfloweth all his banks' makes the miracle unmistakable—this wasn't crossing at dry season but at flood stage.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse appears in the Jordan crossing narrative, one of Joshua's most significant events demonstrating God's power and faithfulness in bringing Israel into the Promised Land.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?
  2. What application does this truth have for your walk with Christ today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וּכְב֞וֹא1 of 20

were come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י2 of 20

And as they that bare

H5375

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

הָֽאָר֔וֹן3 of 20

the ark

H727

a box

עַד4 of 20
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן5 of 20

for Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וְרַגְלֵ֤י6 of 20

and the feet

H7272

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

הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙7 of 20

of the priests

H3548

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

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י8 of 20

And as they that bare

H5375

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

הָֽאָר֔וֹן9 of 20

the ark

H727

a box

נִטְבְּל֖וּ10 of 20

were dipped

H2881

to dip, to immerse

בִּקְצֵ֣ה11 of 20

in the brim

H7097

an extremity

הַמָּ֑יִם12 of 20

of the water

H4325

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

וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן13 of 20

for Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מָלֵא֙14 of 20

overfloweth

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

עַל15 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל16 of 20
H3605

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

גְּדוֹתָ֔יו17 of 20

all his banks

H1415

a border of a river (as cut into by the stream)

כֹּ֖ל18 of 20
H3605

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

יְמֵ֥י19 of 20

all the time

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

קָצִֽיר׃20 of 20

of harvest

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)


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 3:15 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 3:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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