King James Version

What Does Joshua 4:8 Mean?

Joshua 4:8 in the King James Version says “And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

Joshua 4:8 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

9

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

10

For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The twelve stones' arrangement creates visible memorial, teaching tool for future generations about God's faithfulness.

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 · 28 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ1 of 28

did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵ֣ן2 of 28
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

בְנֵֽי3 of 28

And 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל4 of 28

of Israel

H3478

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 28
H834

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

צִוָּ֣ה6 of 28

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ7 of 28

so as Joshua

H3091

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

וַיִּשְׂא֡וּ8 of 28

and took up

H5375

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

שְׁתֵּֽי9 of 28

twelve

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה10 of 28
H6240

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

אֲבָנִ֜ים11 of 28

stones

H68

a stone

מִתּ֣וֹךְ12 of 28

out of the midst

H8432

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן13 of 28

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר14 of 28
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֤ר15 of 28

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָה֙16 of 28

as the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל17 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ18 of 28

so as Joshua

H3091

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

לְמִסְפַּ֖ר19 of 28

according to the number

H4557

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

שִׁבְטֵ֣י20 of 28

of the tribes

H7626

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

בְנֵֽי21 of 28

And 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל22 of 28

of Israel

H3478

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

וַיַּֽעֲבִר֤וּם23 of 28

and carried them over

H5674

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

עִמָּם֙24 of 28
H5973

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

אֶל25 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמָּל֔וֹן26 of 28

with them unto the place where they lodged

H4411

a lodgment, i.e., caravanserai or encampment

וַיַּנִּח֖וּם27 of 28

and laid them down

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

שָֽׁם׃28 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 4:8 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 4:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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