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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 4:18 When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/4-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/06_Jos_04_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 4:18 - Twelve Stones from the Jordan" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joshua/4-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joshua/4-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joshua/">Joshua</a> > <a href="/joshua/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/4-17.htm" title="Joshua 4:17">◄</a> Joshua 4:18 <a href="/joshua/4-19.htm" title="Joshua 4:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/joshua/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/joshua/4.htm">New International Version</a> And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before. <a href="/nlt/joshua/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> As soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant came up out of the riverbed and their feet were on high ground, the water of the Jordan returned and overflowed its banks as before. <a href="/esv/joshua/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before. <a href="/bsb/joshua/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before. <a href="/kjv/joshua/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/4.htm">New King James Version</a> And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before. <a href="/nasb_/joshua/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> It came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before. <a href="/nasb/joshua/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> It came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests&#8217 feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before. <a href="/nasb77/joshua/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And it came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before. <a href="/lsb/joshua/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So it happened when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and went over all its banks as before. <a href="/amp/joshua/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of their feet were raised up to the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and flowed over all its banks as before. <a href="/csb/joshua/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the priests carrying the ark of the LORD’s covenant came up from the middle of the Jordan, and their feet stepped out on solid ground, the water of the Jordan resumed its course, flowing over all the banks as before. <a href="/hcsb/joshua/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the priests carrying the ark of the LORD&#8217s covenant came up from the middle of the Jordan, and their feet stepped out on solid ground, the waters of the Jordan resumed their course, flowing over all the banks as before. <a href="/asv/joshua/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah were come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime. <a href="/erv/joshua/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry ground, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime. <a href="/gwt/joshua/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The priests who carried the ark of the LORD's promise came out of the middle of the Jordan. When their feet stepped onto dry land, the water of the Jordan returned to its seasonal flood level. <a href="/gnt/joshua/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> and when the priests reached the riverbank, the river began flowing once more and flooded its banks again. <a href="/isv/joshua/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> As soon as the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD had come up from the middle of the Jordan River, and the soles of the priests' feet came up to dry ground, the water of the Jordan River returned to normal, covering its banks as it had done so before. <a href="/msb/joshua/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before. <a href="/net/joshua/4.htm">NET Bible</a> The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the middle of the Jordan, and as soon as they set foot on dry land, the water of the Jordan flowed again and returned to flood stage. <a href="/nheb/joshua/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It happened, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks, as before. <a href="/wbt/joshua/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it came to pass, when the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up upon the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned to their place, and flowed over all its banks, as they did before. <a href="/web/joshua/4.htm">World English Bible</a> When the priests who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant had come up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet had been lifted up to the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks, as before. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, in the coming up of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH out of the midst of the Jordan—the soles of the feet of the priests have been drawn up into the dry ground—and the waters of the Jordan return to their place, and go over all its banks as before. <a href="/ylt/joshua/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, in the coming up of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the midst of the Jordan -- the soles of the feet of the priests have been drawn up into the dry ground -- and the waters of the Jordan turn back to their place, and go as heretofore over all its banks. <a href="/slt/joshua/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be in the priests lifting up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah coming up from the midst of Jordan, the soles of the feet of the priests were plucked up to the dry land, and the waters of Jordan will turn back to their place and will go as yesterday the third day, over all its banks.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when they that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, were come up, and began to tread on the dry ground, the waters returned into the channel, and ran as they were wont before. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when those who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord had ascended, and they began to step on dry soil, the waters returned to their channel, and they flowed as they usually did before. <a href="/nabre/joshua/4.htm">New American Bible</a> and when the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the Jordan riverbed, as the soles of their feet regained the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan resumed their course and as before overflowed all its banks. <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet rested firm on the dry land, the waters of the Jordan rushed to their place, and overflowed all its banks, as they did before. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when the Priests who carried the ark of the covenant of LORD JEHOVAH came up from within the Jordan, the sole of the feet of the Priests were set on dry land and the waters of Jordan returned to their place, and they ran like the former time over all the banks of the Jordan<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And it came to pass, as the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the midst of the Jordan, as soon as the soles of the priests' feet were drawn up unto the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime. <a href="/sep/joshua/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord were gone up out of Jordan, and set their feet upon the land, that the water of Jordan returned impetuously to its place, and went as before over all its banks. <a href="/parallel/joshua/4-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=782" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joshua/4.htm">Twelve Stones from the Jordan</a> …17So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up from the Jordan.” 18<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">When the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nō·śə·’ê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">carrying</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: ’ă·rō·wn (N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rîṯ- (N-fsc) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">of the covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ba·ʿă·lōṯ (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">came up</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: mit·tō·wḵ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">out</a> <a href="/hebrew/3383.htm" title="3383: hay·yar·dên (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The principal river of Pal. From yarad; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine.">of the Jordan</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">and their</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: kap·pō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">feet</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·lê (N-fdc) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5423.htm" title="5423: nit·tə·qū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off. A primitive root; to tear off.">touched</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2724.htm" title="2724: he·ḥā·rā·ḇāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Dry ground. Feminine of chareb; a desert.">the dry land,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê- (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/3383.htm" title="3383: hay·yar·dên (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The principal river of Pal. From yarad; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine.">of the Jordan</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šu·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: lim·qō·w·mām (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">to their course</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·lə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and overflowed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1415.htm" title="1415: gə·ḏō·w·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Bank (of a river). From an unused root; a border of a river.">the banks</a> <a href="/hebrew/8543.htm" title="8543: ḵiṯ·mō·wl- (Prep-k:: Adv) -- Or tmol; probably for 'ethmowl; properly, ago, i.e. A time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday.">as before.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8032.htm" title="8032: šil·šō·wm (Adv) -- Three days ago, day before, yesterday. Or shilshom; from the same as Shelesh; trebly, i.e. day before yesterday."></a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a> Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">2 Kings 2:8</a> And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">2 Kings 2:14</a> Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over. <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Psalm 114:3</a> The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; <a href="/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5</a> Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, <a href="/isaiah/43-16.htm">Isaiah 43:16</a> Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, <a href="/isaiah/51-10.htm">Isaiah 51:10</a> Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over? <a href="/isaiah/63-12.htm">Isaiah 63:12-13</a> who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? <a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Hebrews 11:29</a> By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-1.htm">1 Corinthians 10:1-2</a> I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. <a href="/matthew/14-25.htm">Matthew 14:25-33</a> During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. / When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. / But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” ... <a href="/mark/6-48.htm">Mark 6:48-51</a> He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them, / but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost— / for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” ... <a href="/john/6-19.htm">John 6:19-21</a> When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. / But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” / Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading. <a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Acts 7:36</a> He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. <a href="/revelation/15-3.htm">Revelation 15:3</a> and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it came to pass, when the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the middle of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned to their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.the soles<a href="/joshua/3-13.htm">Joshua 3:13,15</a> And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap… lifted up [heb] plucked up <a href="/exodus/14-26.htm">Exodus 14:26-28</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen… and flowed [heb] went<a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15</a> And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)<a href="/1_chronicles/12-15.htm">1 Chronicles 12:15</a> These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.<a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Isaiah 8:8</a> And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/4-16.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">Banks</a> <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/joshua/4-9.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-17.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/joshua/4-17.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-20.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/joshua/4-17.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/joshua/3-13.htm">Soles</a> <a href="/joshua/4-11.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/joshua/4-7.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/6-4.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-15.htm">Banks</a> <a href="/joshua/11-17.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/judges/3-18.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/joshua/6-6.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/joshua/5-13.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/joshua/4-22.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/joshua/4-19.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/joshua/5-13.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/joshua/7-21.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/joshua/6-25.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/joshua/6-4.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-3.htm">Soles</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/joshua/4-23.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 4</div>1. <a href="/joshua/4-1.htm">Twelve men are appointed to take twelve memorial stones from Jordan</a> 9. <a href="/joshua/4-9.htm">Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan</a> 10. <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">The people pass over</a> 14. <a href="/joshua/4-14.htm">God magnifies Joshua</a> 15. <a href="/joshua/4-15.htm">The priests commanded to come out of Jordan</a> 20. <a href="/joshua/4-20.htm">The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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It symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel. The priests carrying the Ark signifies the leadership and spiritual guidance of the Levites, who were set apart for holy duties. The Ark's presence in the crossing of the Jordan River underscores the divine intervention and guidance in Israel's journey to the Promised Land, reminiscent of the crossing of the Red Sea in <a href="/exodus/14.htm">Exodus 14</a>.came up out of the Jordan The Jordan River was a significant geographical and spiritual boundary for the Israelites. Crossing it marked the transition from the wilderness wanderings to entering the Promised Land. This event is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (<a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18-21</a>). The act of coming up out of the Jordan symbolizes a new beginning and the faithfulness of God in leading His people.and their feet touched the dry land The dry land signifies the miraculous nature of the crossing. Just as God parted the Red Sea, He also stopped the flow of the Jordan River, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This miracle reinforced God's power and presence with His people. The dry land also represents the fulfillment of God's promise and the tangible evidence of His provision and protection.the waters of the Jordan returned to their course The return of the waters to their natural course after the priests and the Ark had crossed signifies the completion of the miracle. It demonstrates God's control over nature and His ability to suspend natural laws for His purposes. This event would have served as a powerful reminder to the Israelites of God's sovereignty and might.and overflowed all the banks as before The overflowing of the banks indicates the natural state of the Jordan River during the harvest season, as mentioned earlier in <a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15</a>. This detail highlights the miraculous nature of the crossing, as the river was at its fullest and most formidable. The return to normalcy after the crossing serves as a testament to the extraordinary intervention of God, reinforcing the idea that the Israelites' success in entering the Promised Land was due to divine assistance rather than human effort.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a> The spiritual leaders of Israel who carried the Ark of the Covenant. Their role was crucial in demonstrating faith and obedience to God's commands. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ark_of_the_covenant.htm">Ark of the Covenant</a> A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Law, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. It was central to Israel's worship and identity. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jordan_river.htm">Jordan River</a> A significant geographical landmark in Israel's history, representing a barrier to the Promised Land that God miraculously parted for the Israelites. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The people of God, who were entering the Promised Land after years of wandering in the desert. Their journey is marked by acts of faith and reliance on God's promises. 5. <a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a> The land of Canaan, promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. Crossing the Jordan was a pivotal moment in claiming this promise.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> The priests stepping into the Jordan before it parted is a powerful example of faith. We are called to step out in faith, trusting God's promises even when the path is not clear. <a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a> The waters returned to their place only after the priests' feet touched the dry ground. God's timing is perfect, and His plans unfold according to His divine schedule. <a href="/topical/s/symbol_of_new_beginnings.htm">Symbol of New Beginnings</a> Crossing the Jordan marked a new chapter for Israel. In our lives, God often calls us to leave behind the old and step into new beginnings with Him. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_leads_to_miracles.htm">Obedience Leads to Miracles</a> The obedience of the priests and the people led to a miraculous event. Our obedience to God's commands can open the door to His miraculous work in our lives. <a href="/topical/g/god's_presence.htm">God's Presence</a> The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's presence. We are reminded that God is with us in every step of our journey, guiding and protecting us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 4</a> <a href="/q/does_joshua_4_18_defy_science.htm">Joshua 4:18: Does the river’s instantaneous return defy known natural processes, suggesting a contradiction with scientific norms? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_ark_of_the_testimony.htm">What is the Ark of the Testimony?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_early_israelites_offer_firstfruits.htm">How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_shiloh's_destruction.htm">Jeremiah 7:12: Is there any archaeological evidence confirming the fate of Shiloh and the claims made about its destruction?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - When the priests ... were come up. There is a difference of reading here. The Masorites read as our version. The Hebrew text implies that the waters began to flow from the very moment that the priests' feet left the channel of the Jordan. Were lifted up. The original is more vivid, and marks the authentic sources from which this history is derived. Were plucked up, i.e., out of the soft adhesive mud in the channel of the river. The construction of the original is a constructio praegnans. They dragged their feet out of the mud, and planted them on dry ground. <a href="/commentaries/joshua/4-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the priests הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest carrying נֹשְׂאֵ֨י (nō·śə·’ê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take the ark אֲר֤וֹן (’ă·rō·wn) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> A chest, ark of the covenant בְּרִית־ (bə·rîṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> A covenant of the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel came up כַּעֲל֨וֹת (ka·‘ă·lō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively out מִתּ֣וֹךְ (mit·tō·wḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre of the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine and their הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest feet כַּפּוֹת֙ (kap·pō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan touched נִתְּק֗וּ (nit·tə·qū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5423.htm">Strong's 5423: </a> To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off the dry land, הֶחָרָבָ֑ה (he·ḥā·rā·ḇāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2724.htm">Strong's 2724: </a> Dry ground the waters מֵֽי־ (mê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen of the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine returned וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ (way·yā·šu·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to their course לִמְקוֹמָ֔ם (lim·qō·w·mām) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition and overflowed וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the banks גְּדוֹתָֽיו׃ (gə·ḏō·w·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1415.htm">Strong's 1415: </a> A border of a, river as before. כִתְמוֹל־ (ḵiṯ·mō·wl-) Preposition-k | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8543.htm">Strong's 8543: </a> Ago, a, time since, yesterday, day before yesterday <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/4-18.htm">OT History: Joshua 4:18 It happened when the priests who bore (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/4-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 4:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 4:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/4-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 4:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 4:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>