King James Version

What Does Joshua 4:10 Mean?

Joshua 4:10 in the King James Version says “For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded ... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

Joshua 4:10 · KJV


Context

8

And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

9

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

10

For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

11

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

12

And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Priests standing in Jordan until people passed shows sustained faith required for continued miracle. They remained in position throughout entire crossing.

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 · 27 words
וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִ֞ים1 of 27

For the priests

H3548

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

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י2 of 27

which bare

H5375

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

הָֽאָר֗וֹן3 of 27

the ark

H727

a box

עֹֽמְדִים֮4 of 27

stood

H5975

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

בְּת֣וֹךְ5 of 27

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַיַּרְדֵּן֒6 of 27

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

עַ֣ד7 of 27
H5704

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

תֹּ֣ם8 of 27

was finished

H8552

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

כָּֽל9 of 27
H3605

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

הַ֠דָּבָר10 of 27

until every thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר11 of 27
H834

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

צִוָּ֥ה12 of 27

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֤ה13 of 27

that the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת14 of 27
H853

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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ15 of 27

Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

לְדַבֵּ֣ר16 of 27

to speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל17 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֖ם18 of 27

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

כְּכֹ֛ל19 of 27
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר20 of 27
H834

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

צִוָּ֥ה21 of 27

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

מֹשֶׁ֖ה22 of 27

according to all that Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶת23 of 27
H853

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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ24 of 27

Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

וַיְמַֽהֲר֥וּ25 of 27

hasted

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

הָעָ֖ם26 of 27

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

וַֽיַּעֲבֹֽרוּ׃27 of 27

and passed over

H5674

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


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 4:10 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 4:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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