Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.” New Living Translation Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’” English Standard Version and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” Berean Standard Bible 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.’” Berean Literal Bible And command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves from this place out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where stood firm the priests’ feet, twelve stones, and you⁺ shall carry them over with you⁺ and leave them in the lodging place, in which you⁺ lodge tonight.’” King James Bible And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night. New King James Version and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ” New American Standard Bible and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firmly, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the encampment where you will spend the night.’” NASB 1995 and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.’” NASB 1977 and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.’” Legacy Standard Bible and command them, saying, ‘Carry for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.’” Amplified Bible and command them, ‘Pick up for yourselves twelve stones [one each] from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm; carry them over with you and lay them down at the place where you will spend the night tonight.’” Berean Annotated Bible and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan (flowing down) where the priests were standing, carry them with you⁺, and set them down in the place where you⁺ spend the night. Christian Standard Bible and command them: Take twelve stones from this place in the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing, carry them with you, and set them down at the place where you spend the night.” Holman Christian Standard Bible and command them: Take 12 stones from this place in the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing, carry them with you, and set them down at the place where you spend the night.” American Standard Version and command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging-place, where ye shall lodge this night. English Revised Version and command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night. GOD'S WORD® Translation Order them to pick up 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan, where the priests' feet stood firmly. Take the stones along with you, and set them down where you will camp tonight." Good News Translation and command them to take twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests were standing. Tell them to carry these stones with them and to put them down where you camp tonight." International Standard Version and tell them, 'Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests' feet were standing, bring them along with you, and put them down where you camp tonight.'" NET Bible Instruct them, 'Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests stand firmly, and carry them over with you and put them in the place where you camp tonight.'" New Heart English Bible and command them, saying, "Take up for yourselves from here, from the middle of the Jordan from the place where the feet of the priests stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place, where you will lodge tonight.'" Webster's Bible Translation And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging-place where ye shall lodge this night. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand 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.’” World English Bible and command them, saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand command them, saying, Take up for yourselves from this [place], from the midst of the Jordan, from the established standing-place of the feet of the priests, twelve stones, and you have removed them over with you, and placed them in the lodging-place in which you lodge tonight.” Berean Literal Bible And command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves from this place out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where stood firm the priests’ feet, twelve stones, and you⁺ shall carry them over with you⁺ and leave them in the lodging place, in which you⁺ lodge tonight.’” Young's Literal Translation and command ye them, saying, Take up for you from this place, from the midst of the Jordan, from the established standing-place of the feet of the priests, twelve stones, and ye have removed them over with you, and placed them in the lodging-place in which ye lodge to-night.' Smith's Literal Translation And command ye them, saying, Take up to you from hence out of the midst of Jordan from the firm standing of the feet of the priests, twelve stones, and pass them over with you, and deposit them in the lodging place where ye shall remain in it the night. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd command them to take out of the midst of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests stood, twelve very hard stones, which you shall set in the place of the camp, where you shall pitch your tents this night. Catholic Public Domain Version and instruct them so that they may take from the midst of the channel of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests stood still, twelve very hard stones, which you shall station in the place of the camp, where you will pitch your tents this night.” New American Bible and command them, “Take up twelve stones from this spot in the Jordan riverbed where the priests have been standing. Carry them over with you, and place them where you are to stay tonight.” New Revised Standard Version and command them, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you camp tonight.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd command them, saying, Take from here out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood, twelve stones, and you shall carry them over with you, and lay them in the lodging place where you lodge this night. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And command them and say to them: ‘Take for yourselves from here from within the Jordan, provide twelve stones from under the feet of the Priests and bring them with you and put them among the lodging where you lodge in the night’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and command ye them, saying: Take you hence out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood, twelve stones made ready, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging-place, where ye shall lodge this night.' Brenton Septuagint Translation and charge them; and ye shall take out of the midst of Jordan twelve fit stones, and having carried them across together with yourselves, place them in your camp, where ye shall encamp for the night. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Twelve Stones from the Jordan…2“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3and 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.’” 4So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe,… Cross References ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones Joshua 3:12 Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 1 Kings 18:31 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.” Exodus 24:4 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. from the middle of the Jordan Joshua 3:16 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. Psalm 114:3 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; 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, where the priests were standing, Joshua 3:17 The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan. Joshua 3:13 When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.” Joshua 3:8 Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the waters, stand in the Jordan.’” carry them with you, Joshua 3:14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. Joshua 3:6 And he said to the priests, “Take the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them. Numbers 4:15 When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting. and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’” Joshua 5:10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover. Deuteronomy 27:4 And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster. Genesis 28:11 On reaching a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. And taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. Exodus 12:14 And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come. Treasury of Scripture And command you them, saying, Take you hence out of the middle of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and you shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where you shall lodge this night. the priest's feet Joshua 3:13 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, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. twelve stones Joshua 24:27 And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Deuteronomy 27:1-26 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day… leave them Joshua 4:18,19,20 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, and 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 they did before… Jump to Previous Carry Command Hence Jordan Lay Leave Middle Midst Night Priests Ready Stones Stood Tonight TwelveJump to Next Carry Command Hence Jordan Lay Leave Middle Midst Night Priests Ready Stones Stood Tonight TwelveJoshua 4 1. Twelve men are appointed to take twelve memorial stones from Jordan9. Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan 10. The people pass over 14. God magnifies Joshua 15. The priests commanded to come out of Jordan 20. The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal and command them: This directive comes from God through Joshua, emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine instructions. It reflects the biblical theme of leadership and the role of God's chosen leaders in guiding His people. This command is part of a larger narrative where God is establishing Joshua's authority, similar to how Moses was commanded by God in the past. ‘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.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. 2. The Israelites The people of God, who are crossing the Jordan River into the land promised to them by God. 3. The Jordan River A significant geographical and spiritual boundary that the Israelites must cross to enter the Promised Land. 4. The Twelve Stones Stones taken from the Jordan River to serve as a memorial for the miraculous crossing. 5. The Priests Those who carried the Ark of the Covenant and stood in the Jordan River, causing the waters to part. Teaching Points Memorials of FaithJust as the twelve stones served as a physical reminder of God's deliverance, we should establish memorials in our lives to remember God's faithfulness. Obedience to God's Commands The Israelites' obedience in taking the stones demonstrates the importance of following God's instructions, even when they may not fully understand the purpose. The Role of Leadership Joshua's leadership in directing the people to take the stones highlights the importance of godly leadership in guiding others to remember and honor God's works. The Significance of Community The collective action of the Israelites in setting up the stones underscores the importance of community in witnessing and remembering God's acts. Faith in Action The act of taking stones from the riverbed required faith that God would continue to hold back the waters, illustrating the need for faith in God's ongoing provision and protection. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 4:3?2. How does Joshua 4:3 illustrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What significance do the "twelve stones" hold for Israel's spiritual journey? 4. How can we create reminders of God's work in our lives today? 5. In what ways does Joshua 4:3 connect to the Passover memorials? 6. How can we teach future generations about God's faithfulness using tangible symbols? 7. What is the significance of the twelve stones in Joshua 4:3 for believers today? 8. How does Joshua 4:3 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises? 9. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Joshua 4:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 4? 11. How did Joshua lead the Israelites into the Promised Land? 12. How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established? 13. Joshua 4:18: Does the river's instantaneous return defy known natural processes, suggesting a contradiction with scientific norms? 14. How did Goliath's sword end up in the temple at Nob, and is there a historical or archaeological record (1 Samuel 21:8-9)? What Does Joshua 4:3 Mean and command themJoshua records, “Joshua called the twelve men he had appointed… and said to them, ‘…and command them:’ ” (Joshua 4:4–5). • Scripture shows God working through clear, authoritative commands (Exodus 19:7–8; John 14:15). • Joshua, the appointed leader (Joshua 1:6–9), passes on God’s exact instruction without alteration, underscoring that obedience is never optional when God speaks (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). Take up for yourselves twelve stones “‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones…’” • Twelve stones match the twelve tribes (Genesis 35:22; Revelation 21:12), declaring that every tribe shared in this miracle. • Physical memorials keep future generations from forgetting God’s acts (Exodus 12:24-27; Psalm 78:5-7). • Stones—permanent, rugged—mirror the lasting faithfulness of the LORD (Malachi 3:6). from the middle of the Jordan “…‘from the middle of the Jordan…’” • God wanted stones taken from the very place where the water had stood, a tangible proof that the riverbed had been dry (Joshua 3:17; 4:22-24). • Just as Israel carried spoils out of Egypt’s sea-bed in Exodus 14, these stones testify that God does the impossible in real history, not in myth or symbol. where the priests were standing “…‘where the priests were standing…’” • The ark-bearing priests marked the center of God’s power and presence (Joshua 3:3-4; Numbers 4:15). • Taking stones from that exact spot links the miracle to the covenant represented by the ark (Exodus 25:22). • Priests stood firm until every Israelite crossed (Joshua 4:10), reflecting Christ our High Priest who secures our passage (Hebrews 4:14-16). carry them with you “…‘carry them with you…’” • Memorials travel with God’s people, integrating faith into daily life (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). • Bearing weight reminds each man of personal responsibility: every tribe must shoulder testimony to God’s work (2 Timothy 2:2). and set them down “…‘and set them down…’” • Memorials are meant to be displayed, not hidden (Matthew 5:14-16). • The stones will be raised again at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20), turning an ordinary campsite into sacred ground (Genesis 28:18-19). in the place where you spend the night “…‘in the place where you spend the night.’” • God chooses the first night in the Promised Land (Joshua 4:19) to anchor their memories; rest is rooted in His completed work (Hebrews 4:8-10). • The memorial ensures that even routine settings become opportunities for recounting deliverance to children (Joshua 4:6-7). summary Joshua 4:3 instructs Israel to take twelve stones from the Jordan’s dry bed—right where the ark-bearing priests stood—carry them to the first campsite, and set them up as a perpetual memorial. The command highlights: • God’s authority and the necessity of precise obedience. • The inclusion of every tribe in God’s saving act. • Tangible evidence of a real miracle rooted in covenant presence. • An ongoing call to remember and proclaim the LORD’s faithfulness in everyday life. IV.(3) Out of the midst of Jordan . . . twelve stones--(9) Twelve stones in the midst of Jordan.--It would seem that we are to understand two cairns to have been set up, one on either side the river, to mark the place where the Israelites crossed. The western cairn was in Gilgal, the other on the opposite side, at the edge of the overflow, where the priests had stopped. The only difficulty lies in the words above cited, in the midst of Jordan. The phrase, like many other Hebrew phrases, is used in a different way from that in which we should use it. The words "in the middle of the Jordan" to an English reader appear to mean half-way between the banks. But if the river were divided, and half of it had recoiled many miles towards the north, and the rest flowed away to the south, any one standing between these two parts of the river might be said to stand in the midst of Jordan, the two parts being on either side; and he would be equally in the midst, as regards them, whether he were at the edge of the stream or not. It is contrary to common-sense, as well as to the words of the text, to suppose that a cairn was set up in the midst of the river's bed. "They are there unto this day," the writer adds in Joshua 4:9. It is perfectly clear from Joshua 3:8 that the priests stood at the brim of the overflow. That spot and no other would be the particular spot which it would be most interesting to mark, the place from which Jordan, in full flood, was driven back. Further, the words "in the midst" (Hebrew, Vtholc) do not necessarily mean more than within. In Joshua 19:1, it is said the inheritance of Simeon was within (b'thok) the inheritance of the children of Judah. Yet it was entirely on one edge of it. May not the ark standing in the midst of Jordan represent that suspension of the power of death which is effected by the interposition of our Saviour, and fills the interval between the reign of death "from Adam to Moses," and the "second death" that is to come? Verse 3. - Stood firm. Much discussion has taken place about the proper rendering of the word הָכִין which the LXX. translates ἐτοίμους, and the Vulgate durissimos. It seems best to take it, as our version does, as the infinitive absolute, and to translate as in ch. 'Hi. 17. But the punctuation of the Masorites separates it from מִםמּצַּב. They would apparently render "to set up."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and command them:וְצַוּ֣וּ (wə·ṣaw·wū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order ‘Take up שְׂאֽוּ־ (śə·’ū-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take for yourselves לָכֶ֨ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew twelve שְׁתֵּים־ (šə·têm-) Number - fd Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) stones אֲבָנִ֑ים (’ă·ḇā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 68: A stone from מִזֶּ֜ה (miz·zeh) Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that the middle מִתּ֣וֹךְ (mit·tō·wḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre of the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine where the priests הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest were standing, הָכִ֖ין (hā·ḵîn) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 3559: To be erect carry וְהַעֲבַרְתֶּ֤ם (wə·ha·‘ă·ḇar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on them with you, עִמָּכֶ֔ם (‘im·mā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 5973: With, equally with and set them down וְהִנַּחְתֶּ֣ם (wə·hin·naḥ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 3240: Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place, in the place בַּמָּל֕וֹן (bam·mā·lō·wn) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4411: A lodgment, caravanserai, encampment where אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you spend תָּלִ֥ינוּ (tā·lî·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate the night.’” הַלָּֽיְלָה׃ (hal·lā·yə·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity Links Joshua 4:3 NIVJoshua 4:3 NLT Joshua 4:3 ESV Joshua 4:3 NASB Joshua 4:3 KJV Joshua 4:3 BibleApps.com Joshua 4:3 Biblia Paralela Joshua 4:3 Chinese Bible Joshua 4:3 French Bible Joshua 4:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 4:3 And command them saying 'Take from out (Josh. 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