King James Version

What Does Joshua 4:3 Mean?

Joshua 4:3 in the King James Version says “And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood f... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

Joshua 4:3 · KJV


Context

1

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

2

Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

3

And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

4

Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

5

And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command to take twelve stones from Jordan's midst where priests stood creates lasting memorial of God's miraculous provision.

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
וְצַוּ֣וּ1 of 25

And command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אוֹתָם֮2 of 25
H853

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

לֵאמֹר֒3 of 25

ye them saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׂאֽוּ4 of 25

Take

H5375

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

לָכֶ֨ם5 of 25
H0
מִזֶּ֜ה6 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מִתּ֣וֹךְ7 of 25

you hence out of the midst

H8432

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן8 of 25

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מִמַּצַּב֙9 of 25

stood

H4673

a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post

רַגְלֵ֣י10 of 25

feet

H7272

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

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים11 of 25

out of the place where the priests

H3548

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

הָכִ֖ין12 of 25

firm

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

שְׁתֵּים13 of 25

twelve

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה14 of 25
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

אֲבָנִ֑ים15 of 25

stones

H68

a stone

וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֤ם16 of 25

and ye shall carry them over

H5674

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

אוֹתָם֙17 of 25
H853

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

עִמָּכֶ֔ם18 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְהִנַּחְתֶּ֣ם19 of 25

with you and leave

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

אוֹתָ֔ם20 of 25
H853

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

בַּמָּל֕וֹן21 of 25

them in the lodging place

H4411

a lodgment, i.e., caravanserai or encampment

אֲשֶׁר22 of 25
H834

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

תָּלִ֥ינוּ23 of 25

where ye shall lodge

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

ב֖וֹ24 of 25
H0
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃25 of 25

this night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity


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 4:3 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 4:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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