King James Version

What Does Joshua 4:18 Mean?

Joshua 4:18 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jor... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. lifted: Heb. plucked up flowed: Heb. went

Joshua 4:18 · KJV


Context

16

Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.

17

Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.

18

And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. lifted: Heb. plucked up flowed: Heb. went

19

And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

20

And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Waters returning to flood stage immediately upon priests' emergence demonstrates miracle's divine nature and timing.

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 · 25 words
וַ֠יְהִי1 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּֽעֲל֨וֹת2 of 25

were come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים3 of 25

And it came to pass when the priests

H3548

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

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֨י4 of 25

that bare

H5375

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

אֲר֤וֹן5 of 25

the ark

H727

a box

בְּרִית6 of 25

of the covenant

H1285

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

יְהוָה֙7 of 25

of the LORD

H3068

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

מִתּ֣וֹךְ8 of 25

out of the midst

H8432

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

הַיַּרְדֵּן֙9 of 25

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

נִתְּק֗וּ10 of 25

were lifted up

H5423

to tear off

כַּפּוֹת֙11 of 25

and the soles

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

רַגְלֵ֣י12 of 25

feet

H7272

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

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים13 of 25

And it came to pass when the priests

H3548

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

אֶ֖ל14 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶחָֽרָבָ֑ה15 of 25

unto the dry land

H2724

a desert

וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ16 of 25

returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מֵֽי17 of 25

that the waters

H4325

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

הַיַּרְדֵּן֙18 of 25

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

לִמְקוֹמָ֔ם19 of 25

unto their place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ20 of 25
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

כִתְמוֹל21 of 25

as

H8543

properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday

שִׁלְשׁ֖וֹם22 of 25

they did before

H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday

עַל23 of 25
H5921

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

כָּל24 of 25
H3605

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

גְּדוֹתָֽיו׃25 of 25

over all his banks

H1415

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


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 4:18 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 4:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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