TRV
Translation
King James Version
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,)
KJV (with Strong's)
Complete Jewish Bible
When those carrying the ark had come to the Yarden, and the cohanim carrying the ark had waded into the water (for throughout harvest season the Yarden overflows its banks),
Berean Standard Bible
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,
American Standard Version
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),
World English Bible Messianic
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),
Geneva Bible (1599)
And as they that bare the Arke came vnto Iorden, and the feete of the Priestes that bare the Arke were dipped in the brinke of the water, (for Iorden vseth to fill all his bankes all the time of haruest)
Young's Literal Translation
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) --
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Commentary on Joshua 3 verses 14–17
14 ¶ And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15 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,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Here we have a short and plain account of the dividing of the river Jordan, and the passage of the children of Israel through it. The story is not garnished with the flowers of rhetoric (gold needs not to be painted), but it tell us, in short, matter of fact.
I. That this river was now broader and deeper than usually it was at other times of the year, Jos 3:15. The melting of the snow on the mountains of Lebanon, near which this river had its rise, was the occasion that at the time of harvest, barley-harvest, which was the spring of the year, Jordan overflowed all his banks. This great flood, just at that time (which Providence might have restrained for once, of which he might have ordered them to cross at another time of the year) very much magnified the power of God and his kindness to Israel. Note, Though the opposition given to the salvation of God's people have all imaginable advantages, yet god can and will conquer it. Let the banks of Jordan be filled to the brink, filled till they run over, it is as easy to Omnipotence to divide them, and dry them up, as if they were ever so narrow, ever so shallow; it is all one with the Lord.
II. That as soon as ever the feet of the priests dipped in the brim of the water the stream stopped immediately, as if a sluice had been led down to dam it up, Jos 3:15, Jos 3:16. So that the waters above swelled, stood on a heap, and ran back, and yet, as it should seem did not spread, but congealed, which unaccountable rising of the river was observed with amazement by those that live upward upon it many miles off, and the remembrance of it remained among them long after: the waters on the other side this invisible dam ran down of course, and left the bottom of the river dry as far downward, it is likely, as they swelled upward. When they passed through the red Sea, the waters were a wall on either hand, here only on the right-hand. Note, The God of nature can, when he pleases, change the course of nature, and alter its properties, can turn fluids into solids, waters into standing rocks, as, on the contrary, rocks into standing waters, to serve his own purposes. See Psa 114:5, Psa 114:8. What cannot God do? What will he not do for the perfecting of his peoples, salvation? Sometimes he cleaves the earth with rivers (Hab 3:9), and sometimes, as here, cleaves the rivers without earth. It is easy to imagine how, when the course of this strong rapid stream was arrested on a sudden, the waters roared and were troubled, so that the mountains seemed to shake with the swelling thereof (Psa 46:3), how the floods lifted up their voice, the floods lifted up their waves, while the Lord on high showed himself mightier than the noise of these many waters, Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4. With reference to this the prophet asks, Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? Hab 3:8. No, Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, Jos 3:13. In allusion to this, it is foretold, among the great things God will do for the gospel church in the latter days, that the great river Euphrates shall be dried up, that the way of the kings of the east may be prepared, Rev 16:12. When the time has come for Israel's entrance into the land of promise all difficulties shall be conquered, mountains shall become plains (Zac 4:7) and rivers become dry, for the ransomed of the Lord to pass over. When we have finished our pilgrimage through this wilderness, death will be like this Jordan between us and the heavenly Canaan, but the ark of the covenant has prepare us a way through it; it is the last enemy that shall be destroyed.
III. That the people passed over right against Jericho, which was, 1. An instance of their boldness, and a noble defiance of their enemies. Jericho was one of the strongest cities, and yet they dared to face it at their first entrance. 2. It was an encouragement to them to venture through Jordan, for Jericho was a goodly city and the country about it extremely pleasant; and, having that in view as their own, what difficulties could discourage them from taking possession? 3. It would increase the confusion and terror of their enemies, who no doubt strictly observed their motions, and were the amazed spectators of this work of wonders.
IV. That the priests stood still in the midst of Jordan while all the people passed over, Jos 3:17. There the ark was appointed to be, to show that the same power that parted the waters kept them parted as long as there was occasion; and had not the divine presence, of which the ark was a token, been their security, the waters would have returned upon them and buried them. there the priests were appointed to stand still, 1. To try their faith, whether they could venture to take their post, when god assigned it to them, with mountains of water over their heads. As they made a bold step when they set the first foot into Jordan, so now they made a bold stand when they tarried longest in Jordan; but they knew they carried their own protection with them. Note, Ministers in times of peril should be examples of courage and confidence in the divine goodness. 2. It was to encourage the faith of the people, that they might go triumphantly into Canaan, and fear no evil, no, not in this valley of the shadow of death (for so the divided river was), being assured of God's presence, which interposed between them and the greatest danger, between them and the proud waters, which otherwise had gone over their souls. Thus in the greatest dangers the saints are comforted with his rod and his staff, Psa 23:4.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–17. Public domain.
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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON JOSHUA 4.1
And do not imagine that these deeds are only in former times and nothing so great as this is brought forth in you who are now the hearer of them. For all things are fulfilled in you according to a mystical reckoning. Indeed you who long to draw near to the hearing of the divine law have recently forsaken the darkness of idolatry and are now for the first time forsaking Egypt. When you are reckoned among the number of catechumens and have undertaken to submit to the precepts of the church, you have parted the Red Sea and, placed in the stations of the desert, you daily devote yourself to hearing the law of God and to looking upon the face of Moses, through which the glory of the Lord is revealed. But if, you also have entered the mystic font of baptism and in the presence of the priestly and levitical order have been instructed by those venerable and magnificent sacraments, which are known to those who are permitted to know those things, then, with the Jordan parted, you will enter the land of promise by the services of the priests. In this land, Jesus receives you after Moses and becomes for you the leader of a new way.
Gregory of NyssaAD 395
THE LIFE OF GREGORY THE WONDERWORKER 7.55
Joshua son of Nun made the Jordan River stop, but only as long as the ark was in the water. As soon as the people had crossed to the other side and the ark had come through, he gave the river back its usual flow again. The bottom of the deep in the Red Sea was denuded of water when the sea was driven back to either side by the Spirit, but the duration of the marvel was the passage of the army through the deep on the dry strip. But after that the surface of the sea became one again, and the temporary gap was flooded over. So this remains a unique event which occurred in such a way that the marvel did not lose credibility because of the passage of time, since it continues to be testified to by visible traces.
Paulinus of NolaAD 431
POEM 27.511
Then there are the deeds of Joshua, who was marked out with Christ’s name; under his guidance the Jordan kept its stream stationary and its waters still as it recoiled from the countenance of the divine ark. A strange power divided the river. One section came to a halt, its stream flowing back, while another section hastened in its gliding course to the sea, leaving the river bed exposed. Where the current surged strongly from its source, it held back and piled high its waves, so that a threatening mountain of water hung poised in quivering formation and looked down to see human feet passing across the dry, deep bed, and grimy soles hastening over the congealed mud, dry-footed in mid-river.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 3:15 captures the pivotal moment before Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. It meticulously describes the priests, bearing the sacred Ark of the Covenant, arriving at the riverbank and stepping into its waters. The verse crucially highlights that the Jordan was at its peak flood stage, overflowing its banks due to the harvest season, thereby powerfully underscoring the extraordinary, supernatural nature of the divine intervention that was about to unfold, making the subsequent miracle undeniably God's work.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 3:15 employs several powerful literary devices to enhance its narrative impact and theological significance. The Parenthetical Explanation in the clause "(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)" is a key feature, providing vital background information that profoundly magnifies the miracle. This detail functions as a form of Amplification, intensifying the reader's understanding of the immense, humanly insurmountable challenge faced by the Israelites, thereby highlighting the extraordinary nature of God's intervention. The overflowing Jordan itself serves as potent Symbolism, representing the formidable, seemingly impassable obstacles that often stand between God's people and His promised blessings. The act of the priests stepping into the raging water, prior to its parting, creates a sense of Dramatic Irony for the reader, who is aware of the miraculous outcome, but for the characters involved, it is an act of profound Faith that underscores the tension and the absolute necessity of trust in God's word. The entire scene also carries a strong sense of Foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the even greater and more dramatic display of divine power that is about to unfold in the subsequent verses of the chapter.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 3:15 stands as a profound theological declaration concerning God's omnipotence, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, and the essential nature of human faith. It powerfully illustrates that God frequently calls His people to step out in audacious obedience into challenging, even seemingly impossible, circumstances before He fully reveals His divine solution. The overflowing Jordan, an insurmountable barrier by any human standard, serves as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unparalleled ability to make a way where there is no way. This momentous event solidifies Joshua's divinely appointed leadership, confirming him as God's chosen successor to Moses, and profoundly reminds all Israel that their entry into the Promised Land is not by their own might, strategy, or power, but solely by divine intervention. It underscores the timeless biblical principle that God's active presence, visibly symbolized by the Ark, is the key to overcoming life's greatest obstacles, and that His timing is perfect, often choosing moments of greatest difficulty to display His glory and power most clearly.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 3:15 offers a timeless and deeply profound lesson for believers navigating their own "Jordan moments"—those seemingly insurmountable obstacles or periods of daunting transition in life. It challenges us to honestly consider where God might be calling us to step out in faith, even when the path ahead appears overwhelming, dangerous, or utterly impossible by human reckoning. Just as the priests were required to dip their feet into the raging river before it miraculously parted, we are often called to take the very first step of obedience and trust, even when we cannot fully discern the complete solution or the entire path forward. This verse profoundly encourages us to trust implicitly in God's perfect timing, knowing that He frequently allows circumstances to reach their most challenging and desperate point precisely to magnify His power and ensure that His intervention is undeniably supernatural. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's presence, symbolized by the Ark, goes before us, faithfully leading the way through the seemingly impassable obstacles of life—whether they manifest as financial crises, health battles, relational breakdowns, or periods of spiritual wilderness. Our act of faith, however small or seemingly insignificant, can be the divine catalyst for God to open a way where there was none, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His profound desire to lead us into His promised blessings and spiritual inheritance.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was it important that the Jordan was overflowing at the time of the crossing?
Answer: The fact that the Jordan River was overflowing its banks during the harvest season (its peak flood stage) is critically important for several profound reasons. First, it completely eliminates any possibility of a naturalistic explanation for the crossing, thereby making the subsequent parting of the waters an undeniable, irrefutable miracle of God. Had the river been at a low ebb, skeptics might attribute the crossing to a natural phenomenon or a fortunate coincidence. Second, it powerfully highlights the immense power and absolute sovereignty of God over all creation. He deliberately chose the most challenging and humanly impossible moment to demonstrate His unparalleled ability to overcome any obstacle for the sake of His people. Third, it profoundly magnifies the faith and courageous obedience of the priests and the entire Israelite community; they were commanded to step into a dangerous, raging torrent, not a gentle stream, which unequivocally underscores their deep trust in God's word and command (see Joshua 3:7-8). This crucial detail ensures that the glory for the miraculous crossing belongs entirely and exclusively to God, powerfully confirming His active presence and supreme power among His people as they finally entered the long-promised land.
What is the significance of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant into the water?
Answer: The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant into the water holds profound theological and symbolic significance. The Ark represented the very presence of God dwelling among His people, serving as His throne and the tangible embodiment of His covenant with Israel. By having the priests, who were consecrated for sacred service to God, carry the Ark and lead the way, it emphatically emphasized that God Himself was actively leading His people into the Promised Land. This was not a human military strategy or a mere logistical maneuver, but a divine initiative from start to finish. The Ark's presence sanctified the path and powerfully symbolized God's direct and active role in conquering the land and fulfilling His ancient promises. Furthermore, the fact that the priests' feet had to physically touch the water before it miraculously parted underscored a vital biblical principle of faith and obedience: God's power was unleashed in direct response to their courageous step of trust, demonstrating that divine action often awaits human response to divine command. This act also served to publicly confirm and magnify Joshua's leadership, as God had explicitly promised to exalt him in the sight of all Israel (see Joshua 3:7).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, initiated by the priests stepping into the overflowing waters with the Ark of the Covenant, finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Jordan, presented as a formidable, humanly insurmountable barrier to the earthly Promised Land, can be seen as a powerful type of the ultimate, insurmountable barrier of sin and death that separates fallen humanity from God's true spiritual "promised land" of eternal life, perfect fellowship, and divine rest. Just as the Ark, symbolizing God's active presence, led the way through the waters, so Jesus Christ, the ultimate and perfect embodiment of God's presence among humanity (John 1:14), has opened the only way for us to overcome this spiritual chasm. His own baptism in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17), though not involving a parting of waters, marked the commencement of His public ministry, through which He would ultimately conquer the power of sin and death on the cross. Christ Himself is the "new and living way" (Hebrews 10:19-20) who has not only dipped His feet but has fully entered into the ultimate "overflowing Jordan" of God's righteous judgment on sin, enduring death itself, and emerging victoriously from the grave. Through His resurrection, He has made it eternally possible for all who believe in Him to enter into the true spiritual rest and glorious inheritance found in God's eternal kingdom. He is our Great High Priest, who has not merely touched the waters but has fully entered into the depths of death and emerged triumphant, leading us, His people, into the spiritual Canaan of God's abiding presence and everlasting promises (Romans 6:4).