King James Version

What Does Joshua 4:5 Mean?

Joshua 4:5 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Joshua 4:5 · KJV


Context

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:

6

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

7

Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command to 'take you up every man of you a stone' ensures personal participation in memorial construction, creating individual stake in community history.

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 · 22 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 22

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶם֙2 of 22
H0
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ3 of 22

And Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

עִ֠בְרוּ4 of 22

unto them Pass over

H5674

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

לִפְנֵ֨י5 of 22

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲר֧וֹן6 of 22

the ark

H727

a box

יְהוָ֛ה7 of 22

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם8 of 22

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶל9 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תּ֣וֹךְ10 of 22

into the midst

H8432

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן11 of 22

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וְהָרִ֨ימוּ12 of 22

and take ye up

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

לָכֶ֜ם13 of 22
H0
אִ֣ישׁ14 of 22

man

H376

a 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)

אֶ֤בֶן15 of 22

of you a stone

H68

a stone

אַחַת֙16 of 22

every

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

עַל17 of 22
H5921

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

שִׁכְמ֔וֹ18 of 22

upon his shoulder

H7926

the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill

לְמִסְפַּ֖ר19 of 22

according unto the number

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

שִׁבְטֵ֥י20 of 22

of the tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

בְנֵֽי21 of 22

of the 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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

of Israel

H3478

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


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 4:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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