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Joshua 3:15 Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge,
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Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and when those who were carrying the ark came up to the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark stepped down into the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and when those who were carrying the ark came up to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were submerged at the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all of its banks throughout the time of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and when they that bare the ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />until they came to the Jordan River. The water in the river had risen over its banks, as it often does in springtime. But as soon as the feet of the priests touched the water, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and when they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />(The Jordan overflows all its banks during the harvest season.) When the priests who were carrying the ark came to the edge of the Jordan River and set foot in <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the priests who carried the ark entered the Jordan River, as their feet touched the water's edge (The Jordan River overflows all of its banks daily during the harvest season.), <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water?s edge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the ones carrying the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the surface of the water--(the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest time)--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And as they that bore the ark had come to Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest), <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and at those carrying the Ark coming to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the Ark have been dipped in the extremity of the waters (and the Jordan is full over all its banks all the days of harvest)—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and at those bearing the ark coming in unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark have been dipped in the extremity of the waters (and the Jordan is full over all its banks all the days of harvest) -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And as they lifting up the ark come to Jordan, and the feet of the priests lifting up the ark were dipped in the extremity of the waters (and Jordan was filled up to all its banks all the days of harvest,)<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And as soon as they came into the Jordan, and their feet were dipped in part of the water, (now the Jordan, it being harvest time, had filled the banks of its channel,) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And as soon as they entered into the Jordan, and their feet were dipped in a portion of the water, (now the Jordan, since it was the time of the harvest, had filled the banks of its channel,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When those bearing the ark came to the Jordan and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were immersed in the waters of the Jordan—which overflows all its banks during the entire season of the harvest—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And as soon as those that bore the ark reached the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who were bearing the ark were dipped in the brim of the water (for the Jordan overflows its banks all the time of harvest);<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when the bearers of the ark arrived unto the Jordan, the feet of the Priests who were carrying the ark were made wet on the banks of the waters, and Jordan was full, brink to brink, all the days of harvest<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and when they that bore the ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark were dipped in the brink of the water--for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And when the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord entered upon Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord were dipped in part of the water of Jordan; (now Jordan overflowed all its banks about the time of wheat harvest:)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/3-15.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=581" 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">14</span>So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><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.">Now the Jordan</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: mā·lê (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">overflows</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."></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.">its banks</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">throughout</a> <a href="/hebrew/7105.htm" title="7105: qā·ṣîr (N-ms) -- From qatsar; severed, i.e. Harvest, the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb.">the harvest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yə·mê (N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">season.</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.">But as soon as 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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: hā·’ā·rō·wn (Art:: N-cs) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box."></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: hā·’ā·rō·wn (Art:: N-cs) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḵə·ḇō·w (Conj-w, Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">reached</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3383.htm" title="3383: wə·hay·yar·dên (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The principal river of Pal. From yarad; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine.">the Jordan</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: wə·raḡ·lê (Conj-w:: N-fdc) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">and their feet</a> <a href="/hebrew/2881.htm" title="2881: niṭ·bə·lū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To dip. A primitive root; to dip, to immerse.">touched</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the water’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/7097.htm" title="7097: biq·ṣêh (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- End, extremity. Or qetseh; from qatsah; an extremity.">edge,</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.…<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/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">2 Kings 2:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Psalm 114:3</a></span><br />The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-2.htm">Isaiah 43:2</a></span><br />When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Hebrews 11:29</a></span><br />By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-1.htm">1 Corinthians 10:1-2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-6.htm">Psalm 66:6</a></span><br />He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-10.htm">Isaiah 51:10</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-11.htm">Nehemiah 9:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16-19</a></span><br />The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. / The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. / Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-8.htm">Exodus 15:8</a></span><br />At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">2 Kings 2:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-5.htm">John 3:5</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-10.htm">Mark 1:10</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And as they that bore the ark were come to Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overflows all his banks all the time of harvest,)</p><p class="hdg">the feet</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/3-13.htm">Joshua 3:13</a></b></br> 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, <i>that</i> the waters of Jordan shall be cut off <i>from</i> the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/26-6.htm">Isaiah 26:6</a></b></br> The foot shall tread it down, <i>even</i> the feet of the poor, <i>and</i> the steps of the needy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/4-18.htm">Joshua 4:18</a></b></br> 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, <i>and</i> 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 <i>they did</i> before.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/12-15.htm">1 Chronicles 12:15</a></b></br> These <i>are</i> they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all <i>them</i> of the valleys, <i>both</i> toward the east, and toward the west.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Jeremiah 12:5</a></b></br> If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and <i>if</i> in the land of peace, <i>wherein</i> thou trustedst, <i>they wearied thee</i>, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?</p><p class="hdg">all the time</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/5-10.htm">Joshua 5:10-12</a></b></br> And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/23-10.htm">Leviticus 23:10-16</a></b></br> Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/16-1.htm">Deuteronomy 16:1-9</a></b></br> Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-37.htm">Banks</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/john/2-7.htm">Brim</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Brink</a> <a href="/joshua/3-3.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Carrying</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-51.htm">Dipped</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/daniel/11-26.htm">Overfloweth</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-6.htm">Overflowing</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-12.htm">Overflows</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/numbers/33-2.htm">Stage</a> <a href="/joshua/3-2.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/joshua/2-5.htm">Time</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-8.htm">Touched</a> <a href="/numbers/21-15.htm">Touching</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Water</a> <a href="/joshua/3-13.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/luke/5-2.htm">Water's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/joshua/4-18.htm">Banks</a> <a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/joshua/4-9.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-23.htm">Brim</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-14.htm">Brink</a> <a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/joshua/4-16.htm">Carrying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm">Dipped</a> <a href="/joshua/4-19.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/judges/8-2.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/job/40-23.htm">Overfloweth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-15.htm">Overflowing</a> <a href="/job/40-23.htm">Overflows</a> <a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/numbers/33-2.htm">Stage</a> <a href="/joshua/6-27.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Time</a> <a href="/joshua/16-7.htm">Touched</a> <a href="/joshua/16-7.htm">Touching</a> <a href="/joshua/7-5.htm">Water</a> <a href="/joshua/3-16.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/mark/4-1.htm">Water's</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>Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season.</b><br>The Jordan River, a significant geographical feature in Israel, often swells during the harvest season due to the melting snow from Mount Hermon. This natural phenomenon makes crossing the river particularly challenging, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the Israelites' crossing. The timing during the harvest season, likely around April, aligns with the Passover, a period of great significance in Israel's history. This overflowing symbolizes obstacles that seem insurmountable without divine intervention, drawing parallels to other biblical events where God intervenes in nature, such as the parting of the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a>).<p><b>But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan</b><br>The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant represent God's presence among His people. The Ark, containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and manna, signifies God's covenant, guidance, and provision. The priests' role underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and obedience in the face of daunting challenges. This act of faith by the priests is reminiscent of the faith required by the Israelites when they first left Egypt, highlighting a recurring theme of trust in God's promises.<p><b>and their feet touched the water’s edge,</b><br>The moment the priests' feet touch the water signifies the activation of God's promise through an act of faith. This step into the water is a physical manifestation of trust, akin to Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water (<a href="/matthew/14-29.htm">Matthew 14:29</a>). It illustrates the principle that faith often requires action before witnessing God's power. This event foreshadows the New Testament teaching of living by faith and not by sight (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-7.htm">2 Corinthians 5:7</a>), and it typifies the believer's journey of stepping into the unknown, trusting in God's provision and protection.<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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>A significant geographical and spiritual boundary for the Israelites, representing the transition from the wilderness into the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_priests.htm">The Priests</a></b><br>Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence and guidance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ark_of_the_covenant.htm">The Ark of the Covenant</a></b><br>A sacred chest containing the tablets of the Law, representing God's covenant with Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/harvest_season.htm">Harvest Season</a></b><br>A time when the Jordan River was at its fullest, making the crossing more miraculous.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The priests had to step into the overflowing Jordan before the waters parted. This teaches us that faith often requires us to take the first step, trusting in God's provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a></b><br>The crossing occurred during the harvest season when the river was at its fullest. This demonstrates that God's timing may not align with human logic, but it serves to magnify His power and glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbol_of_transition.htm">Symbol of Transition</a></b><br>The Jordan River represents a boundary between the old life in the wilderness and the new life in the Promised Land. In our lives, God calls us to leave behind old ways and step into His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/presence_of_god.htm">Presence of God</a></b><br>The Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, signifies that God's presence goes before us. We are reminded to seek His guidance in all our endeavors.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership.htm">Community and Leadership</a></b><br>The priests' role in leading the people across the Jordan highlights the importance of godly leadership and community in achieving God's purposes.<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_15's_timing_seem_miraculous.htm">How can the timing of the harvest season in Joshua 3:15 align with a miraculous event instead of a known seasonal change in the river’s flow? </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/could_warriors_cross_jordan_at_flood_and_win.htm">(1 Chronicles 12:14–15) How plausible is it that warriors crossed the Jordan River at flood stage and still overpowered enemy forces? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_the_sea_flee_and_jordan_reverse.htm">What natural explanation could account for the sea fleeing and the Jordan reversing in Psalm 114:3? </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 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Brim.</span> The water's edge is meant here, as in ver. 8, where the same word is translated <span class="accented">brink</span> (see note on ver. 17, and on Joshua 4:19). <span class="cmt_word">Jordan overfloweth all his banks.</span> Some commentators translate here, <span class="accented">filleth all his banks</span> (<span class="greek">ἐπληροῦτο</span>, LXX.). But this rendering is contrary <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> to the Hebrew, and <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> contrary to fact. <p>The literal rendering here is, "filleth <span class="accented">out</span> (or <span class="accented">upon</span>) all its banks." In ch. 4:18 we read that Jordan goeth <span class="accented">over</span> all its banks And that the Jordan is not merely full, but full to overflowing, at the harvest season, is proved by the statements of many travellers. Take, for instance, Canon Tristram ('Land of Israel,' p. 223), who describes his visit to the Jordan as occurring just after it had been overflowing its banks, and the lower level of the valley as filled with "a deep slimy ooze." He adds that, by measure merit, the river was found to have been fourteen feet above the level at which he found it, and it was then quite full. Bartlett ('From Egypt to Palestine,' p. 451) remarks, "We were fortunate enough to see it in the state in which it is described in Joshua, 'overflowing all its banks' - that is, the whole line of its banks. The turbid stream rushed along like a mill race, and though it had fallen from its greatest height, the proper banks of the channel were invisible, and indicated only by lines of oleanders and other shrubs and trees." This was on the 22nd of March. This overflowing is caused by the melting of the snows of Hermon, which then rush down, fill Lake Huleh and its marshes, as well as Gennesareth, and cause the "swelling of Jordan" (<a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Jeremiah 12:5</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/49-19.htm">Jeremiah 49:19</a>; 1:44), which drives the wild beasts from their retreats on its banks (see also <a href="/1_chronicles/12-15.htm">1 Chronicles 12:15</a>). Some travellers have boldly asserted, in spite of this concurrent testimony, that Jordan does not overflow its banks at the time of harvest. But they have mistaken the wheat for the barley harvest, forgetting that in Palestine the latter precedes the former by six or seven weeks. By the time of wheat harvest Jordan has returned to its normal condition, and all traces of the inundation have passed away (see Thomson, 'Land and the Book,' pp. 618-621). <span class="cmt_word">The time of harvest,</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, the barley harvest, which took place about the 10th Nisan, or Abib, when the Israelites crossed. The wheat harvest was about Pentecost, or seven weeks later (<a href="/exodus/34-22.htm">Exodus 34:22</a>). An important argument for the genuineness of the narrative (and much the more important as its chief incident is miraculous) is drawn from this passage by Blunt in his 'Undesigned Coincidences.' He remarks that in <a href="/exodus/9-31.htm">Exodus 9:31, 33</a> the barley and flax are said to have ripened together. Therefore the time of the barley and flax harvest would be identical. Accordingly we have Rahab, three days before the event here recorded, in possession of the as yet undried stalks of flax which had just been cut. Nothing could be a more satisfactory proof that the narrative we have before us comes from persons who were accurately and minutely informed concerning the circumstances of which they tell us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/3-15.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">Now the Jordan</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yar·dên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">overflows</span><br /><span class="heb">מָלֵא֙</span> <span class="translit">(mā·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its banks</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּדוֹתָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(gə·ḏō·w·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1415.htm">Strong's 1415: </a> </span><span class="str2">A border of a, river</span><br /><br /><span class="word">throughout</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the harvest</span><br /><span class="heb">קָצִֽיר׃</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ṣîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7105.htm">Strong's 7105: </a> </span><span class="str2">Severed, harvest, the crop, the time, the reaper, a limb</span><br /><br /><span class="word">season.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְמֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(yə·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But as soon as the priests</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙</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">carrying</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹשְׂאֵ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(nō·śə·’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<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">הָֽאָרוֹן֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<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">reached</span><br /><span class="heb">וּכְב֞וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḵə·ḇō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Jordan</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hay·yar·dên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] their feet</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרַגְלֵ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·raḡ·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foot, a step, the pudenda</span><br /><br /><span class="word">touched</span><br /><span class="heb">נִטְבְּל֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(niṭ·bə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2881.htm">Strong's 2881: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dip, to immerse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the water's</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">edge,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּקְצֵ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(biq·ṣêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7097.htm">Strong's 7097: </a> </span><span class="str2">End, extremity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">OT History: Joshua 3:15 And when those who bore the ark (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/3-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 3:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 3:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/3-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 3:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 3:16" /></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>