King James Version

What Does Joshua 4:21 Mean?

Joshua 4:21 in the King James Version says “And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, Wh...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Joshua 4:21 · KJV

Context

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

22

Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.

23

For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

This verse establishes the pedagogical purpose of the twelve memorial stones taken from the Jordan. The phrase lema'an (לְמַעַן, "in order that") indicates divine intentionality—the stones serve as a teaching tool for future generations. The Hebrew machar (מָחָר, "in time to come") literally means "tomorrow" but idiomatically refers to the indefinite future, emphasizing that this memorial transcends the present generation.

The anticipated question "What mean these stones?" (mah ha'avanim ha'eleh, מָה הָאֲבָנִים הָאֵלֶּה) creates a deliberate teaching opportunity. God ordains visible signs to prompt inquiry from children, who will then receive instruction in His mighty works. This reflects the biblical pattern that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) and that covenant parents bear responsibility for transmitting redemptive history to children (Deuteronomy 6:7, 20-25; Psalm 78:1-8).

Theologically, this establishes the principle of catechesis—using physical objects, ceremonies, and occasions to teach spiritual truth. The stones function sacramentally, not as sources of power but as visible words proclaiming God's faithfulness. This anticipates the New Testament sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, which similarly serve as visible proclamations of gospel truth demanding explanation and instruction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cultures commonly erected memorial stones (masseboth) to commemorate significant events—military victories, treaty-makings, and divine encounters. However, Israel's memorials differed fundamentally—they testified to Yahweh's redemptive acts rather than human achievements or pagan deities. Similar question-and-answer pedagogical patterns appear throughout Scripture: Passover (Exodus 12:26-27, 13:14-15), the altar at the Jordan (Joshua 22:24-27), and various festivals (Deuteronomy 6:20-25).

The Jordan crossing occurred around 1406 BCE (traditional chronology), marking Israel's entry into the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. The memorial stones were set up at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20), which became Israel's base camp during the conquest and a significant cultic site in Israel's history (Joshua 5:9-10; 1 Samuel 7:16; 10:8; 11:14-15). Archaeological surveys near Jericho have identified several ancient sites that may preserve the memory of Gilgal, though exact identification remains debated.

This verse reflects the biblical emphasis on intergenerational covenant transmission. Unlike cultures where religious knowledge remained the province of professional priests, Israel's covenant structure made every father a theologian and every home a catechetical center. The anticipated question from children assumes engaged, curious faith rather than passive religious observance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What visible reminders of God's faithfulness have you established in your home to prompt spiritual conversations with children?
  2. How are you preparing to answer your children's (or others') questions about God's mighty works and Christian faith?
  3. What modern practices can serve as 'memorial stones' to help the next generation understand and embrace covenant faith?
  4. How does the biblical emphasis on parental instruction challenge contemporary models that outsource spiritual formation to professionals?
  5. In what ways do baptism and the Lord's Supper function similarly to these stones as visible proclamations demanding explanation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לֵאמֹ֔ר1 of 15

“And he spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם3 of 15

“When your children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל4 of 15

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֵאמֹ֔ר5 of 15

“And he spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲשֶׁר֩6 of 15
H834

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

יִשְׁאָל֨וּן7 of 15

“shall ask”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם8 of 15

“When your children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מָחָר֙9 of 15

“in time to come”

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

אֶת10 of 15
H853

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

אֲבוֹתָ֣ם11 of 15

“their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לֵאמֹ֔ר12 of 15

“And he spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֖ה13 of 15
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הָֽאֲבָנִ֥ים14 of 15

“What mean these stones”

H68

a stone

הָאֵֽלֶּה׃15 of 15
H428

these or those

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 4:21 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 4:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 4:6Psalms 145:4-7Psalms 105:2-5

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