Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. New Living Translation giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, move out from your positions and follow them. English Standard Version and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Berean Standard Bible and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. Berean Literal Bible and they commanded the people, saying, “When you⁺ see the ark of the covenant of YHWH your⁺ God, and the priests, the Levites, lifting it, you⁺ shall set out from your⁺ place and go after it. King James Bible 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. New King James Version and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. New American Standard Bible and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. NASB 1995 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. NASB 1977 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Legacy Standard Bible and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Amplified Bible and they commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from where you are and follow it. Berean Annotated Bible and commanded the people: “When you⁺ see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} being carried by the Levitical priests, you⁺ are to set out from your⁺ positions and follow it. Christian Standard Bible and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God carried by the Levitical priests, you are to break camp and follow it. Holman Christian Standard Bible and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God carried by the Levitical priests, you must break camp and follow it. American Standard Version and they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation They told the people, "As soon as you see the ark of the promise of the LORD your God and the Levitical priests who carry it, break camp and follow them. Good News Translation and told the people, "When you see the priests carrying the Covenant Box of the LORD your God, break camp and follow them. International Standard Version giving orders to the people. They said, "When you see the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then get up, leave where you are, and follow it. NET Bible and commanded the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you must leave here and walk behind it. New Heart English Bible and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall move from your place, and follow it. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. World English Bible and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of Yahweh your God’s covenant, and the Levitical priests bearing it, then leave your place and follow it. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand command the people, saying, “When you see the Ark of the Covenant of your God YHWH, and the priests, the Levites, carrying it, then you journey from your place, and have gone after it; Berean Literal Bible and they commanded the people, saying, “When you⁺ see the ark of the covenant of YHWH your⁺ God, and the priests, the Levites, lifting it, you⁺ shall set out from your⁺ place and go after it. Young's Literal Translation and command the people, saying, 'When ye see the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then ye journey from your place, and have gone after it; Smith's Literal Translation And they will command the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, and the priests the Levites lifting it up, and ye shall remove from your place and go after it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd began to proclaim: When you shall see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests of the race of Levi carrying it, rise you up also, and follow them as they go before: Catholic Public Domain Version and they began to proclaim: “When you will see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests of the stock of Levi carrying it, you also shall rise up and follow those who are going before you. New American Bible and issued these commands to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD, your God, which the levitical priests will carry, you must break camp and follow it, New Revised Standard Version and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place. Follow it, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests and the Levites carrying it, then you must proceed from your place, and go after it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they commanded the people and they said to them: “When you have seen the ark of the covenant of LORD JEHOVAH your God and the Priests and the Levites who bear it, then pick up from your places and go after it OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation and they charged the people, saying, When ye shall see the ark of the covenant of the Lord our God, and our priests and the Levites bearing it, ye shall depart from your places, and ye shall go after it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Crossing the Jordan…2After three days the officers went through the camp 3and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. 4But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.”… Cross References and commanded the people: Joshua 1:10-11 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: / “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’” Deuteronomy 27:11 On that day Moses commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God Deuteronomy 31:26 “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you. Joshua 4:7 you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” being carried by the Levitical priests, Joshua 8:33 All Israel, foreigners and citizens alike, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier, to bless the people of Israel. Deuteronomy 31:9 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. you are to set out from your positions and follow it. Numbers 10:33 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. Numbers 9:17 Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people. 1 Samuel 4:4 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. 2 Samuel 6:2-3 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. / They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart, 1 Chronicles 15:25-28 So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. / And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. / Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. … Psalm 132:8 Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Isaiah 52:12 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. Jeremiah 3:16-17 “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. / At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. Hebrews 9:4 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. Treasury of Scripture And they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall remove from your place, and go after it. When ye see Joshua 3:11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. Numbers 10:33 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. the priests Joshua 3:6,8,14-17 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… Joshua 4:10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. Joshua 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD. ye shall remove Exodus 13:21,22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: … Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Jump to Previous Ark Bearing Carried Carrying Command Commanded Covenant Journey Levites Move Orders Places Priests RemoveJump to Next Ark Bearing Carried Carrying Command Commanded Covenant Journey Levites Move Orders Places Priests RemoveJoshua 3 1. Joshua come to Jordan2. The officers instruct the people for their passage 7. The Lord encourages Joshua 9. Joshua encourages the people 14. The water of Jordan are divided and commanded the people: This phrase indicates a direct order given to the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine instructions. In the context of Joshua, leadership and adherence to God's commands are crucial for the success of the Israelites as they enter the Promised Land. This command reflects the hierarchical structure of Israelite society, where leaders like Joshua relay God's instructions to the people. “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. 2. The Israelites The people of God, who are preparing to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. 3. The Ark of the Covenant A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. 4. Levitical Priests Members of the tribe of Levi, designated to carry the Ark and perform religious duties. 5. The Jordan River The body of water the Israelites must cross to enter the Promised Land. Teaching Points Following God's PresenceThe Ark of the Covenant symbolizes God's presence. Just as the Israelites were to follow the Ark, we are called to follow God's leading in our lives. Obedience to God's Command The command to follow the Ark required immediate obedience. In our lives, we must be ready to respond to God's direction without hesitation. Role of Spiritual Leaders The Levitical priests had a significant role in guiding the people. Today, spiritual leaders help guide us in understanding and following God's will. Faith in God's Promises Crossing the Jordan was a step of faith for the Israelites. We are called to trust in God's promises, even when the path seems uncertain. Preparation for New Beginnings The Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land. We should prepare our hearts for the new things God wants to do in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 3:3?2. How does Joshua 3:3 emphasize the importance of following God's guidance today? 3. What does "follow it" teach about obedience to God's commands in our lives? 4. How can we prepare ourselves to "move out" when God directs us? 5. Compare Joshua 3:3 with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God's direction. 6. How can we ensure we are spiritually ready to "set out" in faith? 7. What does Joshua 3:3 reveal about God's guidance and leadership? 8. How does the Ark of the Covenant symbolize God's presence in Joshua 3:3? 9. Why is following the Ark significant in the context of Joshua 3:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 3? 11. How does the crossing in Joshua 3 compare with contradictory or differing accounts of water-parting miracles elsewhere in the Bible? 12. Why is there no clear extra-biblical record or archaeological evidence for this mass crossing in Joshua 3? 13. Why does a miracle of this scale in Joshua 3 seem unmentioned in other historical or nearby cultures' writings? 14. Why do the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25) resemble those of Egyptian sacred chests, suggesting borrowed traditions? What Does Joshua 3:3 Mean commanded the peopleJoshua gives a clear, non-negotiable order to the entire nation. His words flow from the authority God had already vested in him (Joshua 1:1-9; compare Exodus 17:9, where Moses likewise commands Israel). The people’s response of obedience is essential; God’s promises are always joined to a call for responsive faith (Joshua 1:10-11). when you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God The ark is the visible sign of God’s throne among His people (Exodus 25:22; Numbers 10:33-36; 1 Samuel 4:4). By fixing their eyes on the ark, Israel is fixing their eyes on the Lord Himself. Notice: • The phrase “of the LORD your God” reminds them that the covenant is personal and binding. • Their future depends on staying close to the presence symbolized by the ark (Psalm 132:8; 2 Samuel 6:2). being carried by the Levitical priests God had assigned the sons of Levi, and specifically the priests, to transport sacred objects (Deuteronomy 10:8; Numbers 4:15; 1 Chronicles 15:2). Their involvement underscores: • Holiness—only consecrated hands touch what represents God’s presence. • Order—God’s work is done God’s way (1 Corinthians 14:40 is later confirmation of this principle). set out from your positions The people must break camp and leave familiar ground (Numbers 9:17; Deuteronomy 1:6-8). Faith never stays static. Practical implications: • Readiness—supplies packed, families alert. • Separation—detach from anything that could slow obedience (Hebrews 12:1). follow it Once the ark moves, Israel moves (Joshua 3:4). The sequence is vital: God leads; His people follow. Spiritual takeaways: • Guidance—God charts the course across the Jordan (Psalm 23:1-3). • Safety—staying behind the ark keeps them under divine protection (Psalm 91:1-2). • Discipleship—New Testament believers echo this pattern when we “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and “follow” the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27). summary Joshua 3:3 calls Israel to attentive, immediate obedience: watch for God’s presence, honor His appointed servants, leave comfort zones, and move only as He moves. The verse models a life of faith that trusts the Lord’s leadership at every step. Verse 3. - And they commanded the people, saying. These words are interesting as showing that all was orderly in the Israel-irish camp. Everything was carried on according to the strictest rules of military discipline. The removal of the ark was to be the signal for the advance of the whole host. The ark of the covenant. We may with advantage compare the religious use of the ark here and in ch. 6, with its superstitious use in 1 Samuel 4:3, 4. We do not read that when the Israelites were defeated at Ai, Joshua took the ark with him in a march to repair the disaster. Such a misuse of the symbol of God's Presence was only possible in days when faith had grown cold. When the Israelites had need of supernatural guidance, when they were placed in circumstances where no use of their own unaided powers could guide them, then they must repair to the ark of God. There they must seek counsel, this they must set before them to guide their ways. But to regard it as a charm which could possibly atone for their want of faith and their lack of obedience, was to profane it. Such temptations as these Jesus Christ resisted in the wilderness; such temptations Christians must resist now. We have no right to seek for supernatural aids where natural ones will suffice us - no right to invoke the special intervention of God till we have exhausted all the means He has placed at our disposal. Above all, we have no right to expect Him to save us from the consequences of our own sin and disobedience except on His own condition, that we shall truly repent. We may further remark that the Pillar of the Cloud and the fire, like the manna, had ceased, and even the ark of the covenant only preceded the Israelites on special occasions. The priests the Levites. This phrase has given rise to some discussion. Some editions of the LXX., as well as some Hebrew MSS., read, "the priests and the Levites." The Chaldee and Syriac versions have the same reading. The Vulgate - more correctly, as it would seem - renders "sacerdotes stirpis Levitiae," i.e., "the priests who are of the tribe of Levi" (see Joshua 8:33, Numbers 4:18, and Deuteronomy 31:9). Keil's explanation that this expression must be taken in opposition to non-Levitical and, therefore, unlawful priests, seems hardly satisfactory. It is not till much later - in fact, till the time of Jeroboam - that we hear of unlawful priests. It is more probable that it is intended to emphasise the position of Levi as the sacerdotal tribe, the one tribe which had no share in the operations of the war. So Rabbi Solomon Jarchi explains it, citing the B'reshith Babbah, which states that the phrase is found in forty-five places in the Bible, with the meaning that the priests are of the tribe of Levi.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and commandedוַיְצַוּוּ֮ (way·ṣaw·wū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order the people: הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock “When you see כִּרְאֽוֹתְכֶ֗ם (kir·’ō·wṯ·ḵem) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see the ark אֲר֤וֹן (’ă·rō·wn) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 727: A chest, ark of the covenant בְּרִית־ (bə·rîṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1285: A covenant of the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative being carried נֹשְׂאִ֖ים (nō·śə·’îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take by the Levitical הַלְוִיִּ֔ם (hal·wî·yim) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi priests, וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest you וְאַתֶּ֗ם (wə·’at·tem) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are to set out תִּסְעוּ֙ (tis·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey from your positions מִמְּק֣וֹמְכֶ֔ם (mim·mə·qō·wm·ḵem) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition and follow וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֖ם (wa·hă·laḵ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk it. אַחֲרָֽיו׃ (’a·ḥă·rāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 310: The hind or following part Links Joshua 3:3 NIVJoshua 3:3 NLT Joshua 3:3 ESV Joshua 3:3 NASB Joshua 3:3 KJV Joshua 3:3 BibleApps.com Joshua 3:3 Biblia Paralela Joshua 3:3 Chinese Bible Joshua 3:3 French Bible Joshua 3:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 3:3 And they commanded the people saying When (Josh. 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