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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 4:2 "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/4-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/06_Jos_04_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 4:2 - Twelve Stones from the Jordan" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/4-1.htm" title="Joshua 4:1">◄</a> Joshua 4:2 <a href="/joshua/4-3.htm" title="Joshua 4:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><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 />&#8220Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Take for yourselves the twelve men [chosen] from among the people, one man from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Choose twelve men from the people, one man for each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Choose 12 men from the people, one man for each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Choose one man from each of the 12 tribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Choose twelve men, one from each tribe, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Gather together twelve men from the people—one man from each tribe— <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Select for yourselves twelve men from the people, one per tribe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Take twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Take you twelve men from the people, from every tribe a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Take twelve men out of the people, a man out of every tribe, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Take for yourselves twelve men out of the people, one man—one man out of a tribe;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Take for you out of the people twelve men, one man -- one man out of a tribe;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Take to you from the people twelve men, one man, one man from a tribe;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Choose twelve men, one of every tribe: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Choose twelve men, one from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />the LORD said to Joshua: Choose twelve men from the people, one from each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Select twelve men from the people, one from each tribe,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Take twelve men from the people, a man out of every tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“Take for yourselves from the people twelve men, one man from each tribe<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Take men from the people, one of each tribe,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/4-2.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=630" 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">Twelve Stones from the Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qə·ḥū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">“Choose</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nêm (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">twelve</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘ā·śār (Number-msc) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš- (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from among</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/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš- (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: miš·šā·ḇeṭ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">from each tribe,</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’ ”…<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/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a></span><br />And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-4.htm">Numbers 1:4-16</a></span><br />And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you. / These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; / from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-15.htm">Deuteronomy 1:15</a></span><br />So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31</a></span><br />And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-16.htm">1 Chronicles 27:16-22</a></span><br />These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri; over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah; / over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron was Zadok; / over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar was Omri son of Michael; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/28-9.htm">Exodus 28:9-12</a></span><br />Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel: / six of their names on one stone and the remaining six on the other, in the order of their birth. / Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/13-2.htm">Numbers 13:2-3</a></span><br />“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” / So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/34-18.htm">Numbers 34:18</a></span><br />Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-2.htm">Deuteronomy 27:2-3</a></span><br />And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. / Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-20.htm">1 Samuel 10:20-21</a></span><br />Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. / Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-1.htm">Matthew 10:1-4</a></span><br />And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness. / These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; / Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/3-14.htm">Mark 3:14-19</a></span><br />He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, / and to have authority to drive out demons. / These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter), ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-13.htm">Luke 6:13-16</a></span><br />When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles: / Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; / Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-13.htm">Acts 1:13</a></span><br />When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-3.htm">Acts 6:3-5</a></span><br />Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them / and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” / This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,</p><p class="hdg">twelve men</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/3-12.htm">Joshua 3:12</a></b></br> Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/1-4.htm">Numbers 1:4-15</a></b></br> And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/13-2.htm">Numbers 13:2</a></b></br> Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/3-12.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/joshua/3-12.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/joshua/3-12.htm">Twelve</a> <a href="/joshua/3-12.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/joshua/4-4.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/joshua/4-3.htm">Twelve</a> <a href="/joshua/6-18.htm">Yourselves</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>Choose twelve men from among the people</b><br>This directive emphasizes the importance of representation and unity among the tribes of Israel. The number twelve is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing completeness and the nation of Israel itself, as seen in the twelve tribes. This act of choosing men from among the people highlights the communal nature of Israel's journey and the shared responsibility in their covenant with God. It also foreshadows the New Testament, where Jesus chooses twelve apostles, symbolizing the foundation of a new covenant community.<p><b>One from each tribe</b><br>Selecting one man from each tribe ensures that all tribes are equally represented in this significant event, reinforcing the unity and equality among them. This act serves as a reminder of the diverse yet unified nature of God's people. Historically, the twelve tribes descended from the sons of Jacob, each with its own unique identity and role within the nation. This selection process also underscores the importance of collective memory and testimony, as these men would later serve as witnesses to the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, a pivotal moment in Israel's history.<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 the people into the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/twelve_men.htm">Twelve Men</a></b><br>Representatives from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, chosen for a specific task.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tribes_of_israel.htm">The Tribes of Israel</a></b><br>The descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, each tribe representing a significant part of the nation of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>The body of water the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land, symbolizing a transition from the wilderness to the fulfillment of God's promise.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/memorial_stones.htm">Memorial Stones</a></b><br>Stones taken from the Jordan River to serve as a lasting memorial of God's faithfulness and the miraculous crossing.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/representation_and_unity.htm">Representation and Unity</a></b><br>The selection of one man from each tribe emphasizes the unity and collective identity of God's people. Each tribe had a role and a voice, reminding us of the importance of unity in the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/remembrance_and_testimony.htm">Remembrance and Testimony</a></b><br>The act of choosing twelve men to gather stones was to create a memorial. This teaches us the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and sharing testimonies of His work in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Joshua's leadership and the people's obedience in following God's specific instructions highlight the importance of obedience in our walk with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The crossing of the Jordan and the setting up of the stones required faith and action. We are called to step out in faith, trusting God's promises and acting upon His Word.<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/genesis_48__ephraim_manasseh_tribal_fit.htm">Genesis 48 - How does the inclusion of Ephraim and Manasseh as tribes align with the tribal lists elsewhere in the Bible, and does it create any contradictions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_israelites_precisely_survey_land.htm">Joshua 18:4 - How likely is it that ancient Israelites had the means and literacy to survey and record the land so precisely?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/verify_jordan_miracle_without_proof.htm">Joshua 4:1-9: How can we verify the miraculous nature of stopping the Jordan and gathering stones without historical or scientific proof?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_4_2__who_are_the_'sons_of_men'.htm">Psalm 4:2: How do we verify who 'sons of men' refers to historically, and is there archaeological evidence linking this phrase to a specific group or time period?</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 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Twelve stones.</span> The commemoration of events by the setting up of huge stones was by no means peculiar to the Jews, though it was often used by them, as, for instance, <a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">Genesis 28:18</a>, 35:14, <a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12</a>. Almost every nation has adopted it. The Egyptian obelisks, the stones at Hamath, supposed to be of Hittite origin, the dolmens and other megalithic monuments of the Celts, the Logan or rocking stones, are cases in point. The Scandinavians filled their country with them. Our own Stonehenge and the Avebury stones are supposed by some to be, not temples nor burial places, but memorials of some battle. The command here given to Joshua was regarding what was to be done by the twelve men, who (Joshua 5:4; cf. ch. Joshua 3:12) were already chosen. The form of the command is merely another instance of the common Hebrew practice of repetition. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/4-2.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">“Choose</span><br /><span class="heb">קְח֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">twelve</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנֵ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(šə·nêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">אִישׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(’îš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from among</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֔ם</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">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from each tribe,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשָּֽׁבֶט׃</span> <span class="translit">(miš·šā·ḇeṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/4-2.htm">Joshua 4:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/4-2.htm">OT History: Joshua 4:2 Take twelve men out of the people (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 4:3" /></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>