King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Now choose yourselves twelve men out of the tribes of Isra'el, one man for each tribe.
Berean Standard Bible:
Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
American Standard Version:
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now therefore take{H3947} you twelve{H8147}{H6240} men{H376} out of the tribes{H7626} of Israel{H3478}, out of every{H259} tribe{H7626} a man{H376}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Joshua 4:2
- Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
Joshua 4:4
- Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
Joshua 4:9
- And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Joshua 3:12
Joshua 3:12 is a verse set within the historical context of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. The book of Joshua narrates the events following the death of Moses, with Joshua taking on the leadership role to guide the Israelites into Canaan. In this verse, God instructs Joshua to select one man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to perform a significant symbolic act.
The theme of the verse revolves around divine instruction and the representation of the whole nation of Israel. God commands Joshua to have these twelve men each take a stone from the middle of the Jordan River, which they are to carry on their shoulders to their camping ground. This act serves as a sign and memorial for future generations, reminding them of how God dried up the waters of the Jordan so they could cross into the land He had promised them. It is a physical testament to God's power and faithfulness, as well as a unifying action that underscores the collective identity and experience of the twelve tribes as God's chosen people.
This verse also highlights the theme of leadership and obedience. Joshua's role as a leader is affirmed as he follows God's directives without hesitation, demonstrating his trust in God's provision and guidance. The selection of one man from each tribe ensures that all tribes are equally represented and that the miracle of the crossing is witnessed and remembered by all. The historical context of this verse is thus deeply intertwined with the themes of divine promise, national identity, and the importance of remembering and commemorating God's acts among His people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. - Strong's Number: H6240
There are 292 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂר
Transliteration: ʻâsâr
Pronunciation: aw-sawr'
Description: for עֶשֶׂר; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth; (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7626
There are 178 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁבֶט
Transliteration: shêbeṭ
Pronunciation: shay'-bet
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan; [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,