King James Version

What Does Joshua 3:16 Mean?

Joshua 3:16 in the King James Version says “That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Za...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 3:16 · King James Version


Context

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.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The waters standing 'upon an heap very far from...Adam' shows miracle's comprehensive scope affecting long river stretches, not local phenomenon.

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?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיַּֽעַמְד֡וּ1 of 26

“stood”

H5975

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

הַמַּיִם֩2 of 26

“That the waters”

H4325

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

וְהַיֹּֽרְדִ֗ים3 of 26

“and those that came 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

מִלְמַ֜עְלָה4 of 26

“from above”

H4605

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

קָ֣מוּ5 of 26

“and rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

נֵד6 of 26

“heap”

H5067

a mound, i.e., wave

אֶחָ֗ד7 of 26

“upon an”

H259

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

הַרְחֵ֨ק8 of 26

“far”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מְאֹ֜ד9 of 26

“very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

בֵֽאָדָ֤ם10 of 26

“Adam”

H121

adam the name of the first man, also of a place in palestine

הָעִיר֙11 of 26

“from the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֲשֶׁר֙12 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מִצַּ֣ד13 of 26

“that is beside”

H6654

a side; figuratively, an adversary

צָֽרְתָ֔ן14 of 26

“Zaretan”

H6891

tsarethan, a place in palestine

וְהַיֹּֽרְדִ֗ים15 of 26

“and those that came 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

עַ֣ל16 of 26
H5921

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

יָם17 of 26

“sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הָֽעֲרָבָ֛ה18 of 26

“of the plain”

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

יָם19 of 26

“sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הַמֶּ֖לַח20 of 26

“even the salt”

H4417

properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)

תַּ֣מּוּ21 of 26

“failed”

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

נִכְרָ֑תוּ22 of 26

“and were 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

וְהָעָ֥ם23 of 26

“and the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

עָֽבְר֖וּ24 of 26

“passed over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

נֶ֥גֶד25 of 26
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

יְרִיחֽוֹ׃26 of 26

“right against Jericho”

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine


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 3:16 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 3:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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