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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He said to the Israelites, &#8220In the future when your descendants ask their parents, &#8216What do these stones mean?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What <i>mean</i> these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What <i>are</i> these stones?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said to the sons of Israel, &#8220When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, &#8216What are these stones?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones? ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he said to the Israelites, &#8220In the future, when your children ask their fathers, &#8216What is the meaning of these stones?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Joshua told the people: Years from now your children will ask you why these rocks are here. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He said to the people of Israel, "In the future when children ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And he said to the people of Israel, "In the future, when your children ask you what these stones mean, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he told the Israelis, "When your descendants ask their parents in years to come, 'What is the meaning of these stones?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joshua said to the Israelites, ?In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ?What is the meaning of these stones??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He told the Israelites, "When your children someday ask their fathers, 'What do these stones represent?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he speaks to the sons of Israel, saying, “When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What [are] these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he speaketh unto the sons of Israel, saying, 'When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What are these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say to the sons of Israel, saying, When your sons shall ask their fathers to-morrow, saying, What these stones?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And said to the children of Israel: When your children shall ask their fathers, to morrow, and shall say to them: What mean these stones? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to the sons of Israel: “When your sons will question their fathers, tomorrow, and they will say to them, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />saying to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />saying to the Israelites, “When your children ask their parents in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to the children of Israel, When your children shall ask you in time to come, saying, What is the meaning of these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said to the children of Israel: “When your children of tomorrow will ask you and they will say to you, ‘What are these stones?’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he spoke unto the children of Israel, saying: 'When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying: What mean these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />saying, When your sons ask you, saying, What are these stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/4-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=812" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/4.htm">The Camp at Gilgal</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Then Joshua said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4279.htm" title="4279: mā·ḥār (Adv) -- Tomorrow, in time to come. Probably from 'achar; properly, deferred, i.e. The morrow; usually tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter.">“In the future,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">when</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">your children</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: yiš·’ā·lūn (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">ask</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">their fathers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">‘What</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">is the meaning of these</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm (Art:: N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">stones?’</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26-27</a></span><br />When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ / you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-20.htm">Deuteronomy 6:20-25</a></span><br />In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” / then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-4.htm">Psalm 78:4-7</a></span><br />We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. / For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-1.htm">Psalm 105:1-5</a></span><br />Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. / Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. / Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-4.htm">Psalm 145:4-7</a></span><br />One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts— / the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works. / They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-19.htm">Isaiah 38:19</a></span><br />The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-3.htm">Joel 1:3</a></span><br />Tell it to your children; let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-14.htm">Exodus 13:14-16</a></span><br />In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. / And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’ / So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-9.htm">Deuteronomy 4:9-10</a></span><br />Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. / The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-19.htm">Deuteronomy 11:19</a></span><br />Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-10.htm">Judges 2:10</a></span><br />After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12</a></span><br />Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/16-12.htm">1 Chronicles 16:12-15</a></span><br />Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced, / O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. / He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-41.htm">2 Kings 17:41</a></span><br />So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-9.htm">Nehemiah 9:9-11</a></span><br />You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. / You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. / You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?</p><p class="hdg">When your</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Joshua 4:6</a></b></br> That this may be a sign among you, <i>that</i> when your children ask <i>their fathers</i> in time to come, saying, What <i>mean</i> ye by these stones?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/105-2.htm">Psalm 105:2-5</a></b></br> Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/145-4.htm">Psalm 145:4-7</a></b></br> One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts… </p><p class="hdg">in time to come [hb] to-morrow </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/4-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/34-4.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Hereafter</a> <a href="/joshua/4-14.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/4-4.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/joshua/4-15.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/joshua/4-20.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Time</a> <a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">What</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/4-22.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/13-29.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/joshua/22-24.htm">Hereafter</a> <a href="/joshua/4-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/joshua/9-22.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/joshua/7-25.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/joshua/22-24.htm">What</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/4-1.htm">Twelve men are appointed to take twelve memorial stones from Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/4-9.htm">Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">The people pass over</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/4-14.htm">God magnifies Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/4-15.htm">The priests commanded to come out of Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/4-20.htm">The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Joshua said to the Israelites</b><br>Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Moses, is speaking to the people of Israel. This moment occurs after the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, where God stopped the waters to allow the Israelites to pass on dry ground. Joshua's leadership is crucial as he guides the people into the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. This phrase highlights Joshua's role as a mediator between God and the Israelites, similar to Moses, and foreshadows Christ as the ultimate mediator.<p><b>In the future</b><br>This phrase indicates a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the importance of remembering God's acts for future generations. It reflects the biblical theme of remembrance and the transmission of faith, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6-9</a>, where parents are instructed to teach God's commandments to their children. It underscores the continuity of God's covenant and the importance of historical memory in maintaining faith.<p><b>when your children ask their fathers</b><br>The phrase anticipates a time when children, curious about their heritage and faith, will seek understanding from their parents. This reflects the cultural and familial structure of ancient Israel, where oral tradition and storytelling were vital for passing down history and religious beliefs. It also highlights the responsibility of parents to educate their children in the ways of the Lord, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm">Proverbs 22:6</a>.<p><b>‘What is the meaning of these stones?’</b><br>The stones refer to the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River and set up at Gilgal as a memorial. This act of setting up stones as a memorial is a common practice in the Old Testament, serving as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and mighty acts. The stones symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel and God's deliverance, similar to the Passover as a memorial of the Exodus. This practice of creating physical reminders points to the sacraments in Christianity, such as baptism and communion, which serve as reminders of Christ's work.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites after Moses, who guided them into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this passage, instructing the Israelites on the significance of the memorial stones.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. They are the recipients of Joshua's instructions and the ones responsible for passing down the account to future generations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>The body of water that the Israelites miraculously crossed on dry ground, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/memorial_stones.htm">Memorial Stones</a></b><br>Twelve stones taken from the Jordan River, set up as a memorial to remind future generations of God's miraculous intervention.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/future_generations.htm">Future Generations</a></b><br>The children of the Israelites who will inquire about the meaning of the stones, representing the continuity of faith and the importance of teaching God's works.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_remembrance.htm">The Importance of Remembrance</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites set up stones to remember God's faithfulness, we should establish practices or symbols in our lives that remind us of God's work and promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/passing_down_faith.htm">Passing Down Faith</a></b><br>It is crucial for parents and elders to share accounts of God's faithfulness with younger generations, ensuring the continuity of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_our_lives.htm">God's Faithfulness in Our Lives</a></b><br>Reflect on personal "Jordan River" moments where God has intervened miraculously, and consider how to memorialize these events.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/engaging_with_questions.htm">Engaging with Questions</a></b><br>Encourage curiosity and questions about faith from younger generations, using them as opportunities to teach and reinforce God's truths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_testimony.htm">Community Testimony</a></b><br>The stones were a collective memorial for all Israel. Similarly, our testimonies should be shared within our communities to strengthen collective faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_christians_join_labor_unions.htm">What is Gilgal's significance in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_caesarea_philippi's_biblical_role.htm">What are Stones of Remembrance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_joshua_3's_miracle_in_other_texts.htm">Why does a miracle of this scale in Joshua 3 seem unmentioned in other historical or nearby cultures' writings? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_gilgal's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What is Gilgal's significance in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When</span>. Hebrews <span class="hebrew">אֲֶשר</span>. The relative pronoun here is sometimes equivalent to "when," as in <a href="/deuteronomy/11-6.htm">Deuteronomy 11:6</a>; <a href="/1_kings/8-9.htm">1 Kings 8:9</a>. Gesenius would translate "if that," and Keil would render by <span class="accented">quod.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/4-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then [Joshua] said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֛אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Israelites,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“In the future,</span><br /><span class="heb">מָחָר֙</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ḥār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4279.htm">Strong's 4279: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר֩</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your children</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ask</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁאָל֨וּן</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·’ā·lūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their fathers,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבוֹתָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘What</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the meaning of these</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵֽלֶּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stones?’</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲבָנִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/4-21.htm">OT History: Joshua 4:21 He spoke to the children of Israel (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/4-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 4:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 4:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/4-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 4:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 4:22" /></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>