King James Version

What Does Joshua 3:8 Mean?

Joshua 3:8 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.”

Joshua 3:8 · KJV

Context

6

And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

7

And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

8

And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.

9

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.

10

And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

Read Joshua 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The instruction for priests to 'stand still in Jordan' required faith to step into flooding river before waters parted. Obedience precedes miracle.

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 · 15 words
וְאַתָּ֗ה1 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תְּצַוֶּה֙2 of 15

“And thou shalt command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת3 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים4 of 15

“the priests”

H3548

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

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֥י5 of 15

“that bear”

H5375

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

אֲרֽוֹן6 of 15

“the ark”

H727

a box

הַבְּרִ֖ית7 of 15

“of the covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

לֵאמֹ֑ר8 of 15

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כְּבֹֽאֲכֶ֗ם9 of 15

“When ye are come”

H935

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

עַד10 of 15
H5704

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

קְצֵה֙11 of 15

“to the brink”

H7097

an extremity

מֵ֣י12 of 15

“of the water”

H4325

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

בַּיַּרְדֵּ֖ן13 of 15

“in Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

בַּיַּרְדֵּ֖ן14 of 15

“in Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

תַּֽעֲמֹֽדוּ׃15 of 15

“ye shall stand still”

H5975

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

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 3:8 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 3:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 3:17Joshua 3:32 Chronicles 30:122 Chronicles 29:4-112 Chronicles 17:8-91 Chronicles 15:11-12

Places in This Verse

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

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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