King James Version

What Does Joshua 4:19 Mean?

Joshua 4:19 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 4:19 · KJV


Context

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.

21

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? in time: Heb. to morrow


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The timing of crossing 'the tenth day of the first month' connects to Passover preparation, linking deliverance themes.

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 · 12 words
וְהָעָ֗ם1 of 12

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

עָלוּ֙2 of 12

came up

H5927

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

מִן3 of 12
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן4 of 12

out of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

בֶּֽעָשׂ֖וֹר5 of 12

on the tenth

H6218

ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ6 of 12

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן7 of 12

day of the first

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙8 of 12

and encamped

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל9 of 12

in Gilgal

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

בִּקְצֵ֖ה10 of 12

border

H7097

an extremity

מִזְרַ֥ח11 of 12

in the east

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

יְרִיחֽוֹ׃12 of 12

of 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 4:19 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 4:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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