King James Version
Joshua 4:4 in the King James Version says “Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:”
Joshua 4:4 · King James Version
Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
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.
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
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:
That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? in time: Heb. to morrow
KJV Study — Public Domain
Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.
“called”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
“men”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“whom he had prepared”
H3559properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
“of the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
“men”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
“men”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
“tribe”
H7626a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
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.
Joshua 4:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Joshua 4:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge