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Joshua 3:6 And he said to the priests, "Take the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people." So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them.
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And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Carry the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over [the river] ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went on ahead of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to the priests, “Carry the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to the priests, “Take the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Joshua turned to the priests and said, "Take the chest and cross the Jordan River ahead of us." So the priests picked up the chest by its carrying poles and went on ahead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Joshua also told the priests, "Take the ark of the promise, and go ahead of the people." They did as they were told.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then he told the priests to take the Covenant Box and go with it ahead of the people. They did as he said. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />After this, Joshua instructed the priests, "Take up the Ark of the Covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the Ark of the Covenant and went on ahead of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he said to the priests, ?Take the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.? So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Joshua told the priests, "Pick up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." So they picked up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people." They took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and cross over before the people.” They took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua speaks to the priests, saying, “Take up the Ark of the Covenant, and pass over before the people”; and they take up the Ark of the Covenant, and go before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Joshua speaketh unto the priests, saying, 'Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people;' and they take up the ark of the covenant, and go before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua will say to the priests, saying, Lift up the ark of the covenant and pass through before the people. And they will lift up the ark of the covenant and will go before the people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said to the priests: Take up the ark of the covenant, and go before the people. And they obeyed his commands, and took it up and walked before them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to the priests: “Take up the ark of the covenant, and go before the people.” And they fulfilled the orders, and they took it and walked before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />And he told the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross ahead of the people”; so they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />To the priests Joshua said, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass on in front of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went in front of the people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joshua said to the priests, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yeshua said to the Priests: “Take the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people”, and they picked up the ark of the covenant and they crossed over before the people<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joshua spoke unto the priests, saying: 'Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass on before the people.' And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua said to the priests, Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and go before the people: and the priests took up the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and went before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/3-6.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=497" 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/3.htm">Crossing the Jordan</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">And he</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</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.">the priests,</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/5375.htm" title="5375: śə·’ū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">“Take</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/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: hab·bə·rîṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">of the covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: wə·‘iḇ·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">and go on</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">ahead of</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">So they carried</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/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: hab·bə·rîṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">of the covenant</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 went</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">ahead</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.…<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/25-14.htm">Exodus 25:14</a></span><br />Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, in order to carry it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/10-33.htm">Numbers 10:33</a></span><br />So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-9.htm">Deuteronomy 31:9</a></span><br />So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-4.htm">1 Samuel 4:4</a></span><br />So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-2.htm">2 Samuel 6:2</a></span><br />And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-15.htm">1 Chronicles 15:15</a></span><br />And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-4.htm">2 Chronicles 5:4-5</a></span><br />When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark, / and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/132-8.htm">Psalm 132:8</a></span><br />Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-12.htm">Isaiah 52:12</a></span><br />For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-16.htm">Jeremiah 3:16</a></span><br />“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Hebrews 9:4</a></span><br />containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Matthew 24:30-31</a></span><br />At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-26.htm">Mark 13:26-27</a></span><br />At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. / And He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a></span><br />And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a></span><br />The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.</p><p class="hdg">Take up</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/3-3.htm">Joshua 3:3</a></b></br> And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-15.htm">Numbers 14:15</a></b></br> Now <i>if</i> thou shalt kill <i>all</i> this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/10-33.htm">Numbers 10:33</a></b></br> And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/33-9.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-8.htm">Ahead</a> <a href="/joshua/3-4.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/joshua/3-3.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/joshua/1-11.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/joshua/3-5.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/3-3.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/joshua/1-1.htm">Speaketh</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/joshua/3-11.htm">Ahead</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/joshua/3-7.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/joshua/4-1.htm">Speaketh</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-1.htm">Joshua come to Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-2.htm">The officers instruct the people for their passage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-7.htm">The Lord encourages Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-9.htm">Joshua encourages the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">The water of Jordan are divided</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And he said to the priests,</b><br>This phrase refers to Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Moses. Joshua's role as a leader is significant, as he is seen as a type of Christ, leading God's people into the Promised Land. The priests, from the tribe of Levi, were responsible for religious duties and carrying the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing their role as mediators between God and the people.<p><b>“Take the ark of the covenant</b><br>The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It represented God's presence and covenant with Israel. The Ark's presence signified divine guidance and assurance of victory, as seen in other biblical events like the fall of Jericho.<p><b>and go on ahead of the people.”</b><br>This instruction emphasizes the importance of God's presence leading the way. The Ark going ahead symbolizes that the Israelites were to follow God's guidance into the Promised Land. It reflects the principle of seeking divine direction before taking action, a theme echoed in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>.<p><b>So they carried the ark of the covenant</b><br>The priests' obedience in carrying the Ark demonstrates their faith and trust in God's command. This act of carrying the Ark is a physical manifestation of their spiritual responsibility to uphold God's law and lead the people in worship and obedience.<p><b>and went ahead of them.</b><br>The priests leading the way with the Ark signifies the precedence of spiritual leadership and divine guidance over human plans. This mirrors the New Testament teaching of Christ as the head of the Church, leading His people. It also foreshadows the role of Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, who goes before us into the presence of God.<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, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. His leadership is marked by faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_priests.htm">The Priests</a></b><br>The Levitical priests were responsible for carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Their role was crucial as they were intermediaries between God and the people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ark_of_the_covenant.htm">The Ark of the Covenant</a></b><br>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 guidance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, who were on the brink of entering the Promised Land after wandering in the desert for 40 years.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>The body of water that the Israelites needed to cross to enter the Promised Land. It represents a barrier that God would miraculously help them overcome.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Joshua's instruction to the priests demonstrates the importance of obedience in leadership. As believers, we are called to follow God's guidance even when the path is unclear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leaders.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leaders</a></b><br>The priests carrying the Ark symbolize the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide and intercede for their communities. Leaders today should seek to carry God's presence and lead with integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_goes_before_us.htm">God's Presence Goes Before Us</a></b><br>The Ark going ahead of the people signifies that God's presence leads and prepares the way for His people. We can trust that God is with us in every challenge we face.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The act of taking up the Ark and moving forward requires faith. Believers are encouraged to step out in faith, trusting that God will fulfill His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_new_beginnings.htm">Preparation for New Beginnings</a></b><br>Crossing the Jordan was a new beginning for Israel. In our lives, we should be prepared for the new things God wants to do, leaving behind past failures and embracing His future plans.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_joshua_3_compare_to_other_water-partings.htm">How does the crossing in Joshua 3 compare with contradictory or differing accounts of water-parting miracles elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_joshua_lead_the_israelites.htm">How did Joshua lead the Israelites into the Promised Land?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_key_events_in_joshua's_life.htm">What are key events in Joshua's life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/contradictions_in_1_samuel_4_on_eli's_sons.htm">Are there any contradictions between 1 Samuel 4 and other biblical accounts regarding the fate of Eli's sons or the Ark's movements?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joshua spake.</span> We return now to the ordinary course of the narrative. <span class="cmt_word">To the priests.</span> This was because the occasion was an extraordinary one. On ordinary occasions this was the duty of the Kohathites (<a href="/numbers/4-15.htm">Numbers 4:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And went before the people.</span> The people were to "follow the priests as far as they carried the ark, but no further; so we must follow our ministers only as they follow Christ" (Matthew Henry). <p> CHAPTER 3:7-17. THE PASSAGE OF THE JORDAN - <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/3-6.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">And [he]</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</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 priests,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hă·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Take</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂאוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(śə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ark</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲר֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּרִ֔ית</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and go on</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעִבְר֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘iḇ·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ahead of</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So they carried</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ark</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲר֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּרִ֔ית</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and went</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ahead</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/3-6.htm">OT History: Joshua 3:6 Joshua spoke to the priests saying Take (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/3-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 3:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 3:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/3-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 3:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 3:7" /></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>