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 · KJV


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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

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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