Joshua 3:15

KJV

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)

And as they that bare {H5375} the ark {H727} were come {H935} unto Jordan {H3383}, and the feet {H7272} of the priests {H3548} that bare {H5375} the ark {H727} were dipped {H2881} in the brim {H7097} of the water {H4325},(for Jordan {H3383} overfloweth {H4390} all his banks {H1415} all the time {H3117} of harvest {H7105},)

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),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 3:15 vividly portrays the critical moment before the Israelites' miraculous crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. It details the priests, bearing the sacred Ark of the Covenant, arriving at the riverbank and stepping into its waters. The verse emphasizes a crucial detail: the Jordan was at its peak flood stage, overflowing its banks due to the harvest season, thereby underscoring the extraordinary nature of the divine intervention that was about to unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 3 sets the stage for Israel's entry into Canaan, a pivotal moment in their redemptive history following their wilderness wanderings. The chapter begins with Joshua's instructions for the people to sanctify themselves, anticipating God's mighty acts. The Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence and leadership, is commanded to go before them, carried by the priests. Verse 15 is nestled within the description of the priests' obedient action, immediately preceding the miraculous parting of the waters in [Joshua 3:16](/joshua/3-16 "Joshua 3:16 - The Waters Part"). Unlike the Red Sea crossing, where the waters parted *before* the people entered, here God commands an act of faith: the priests must step *into* the raging waters first, making their obedience and trust paramount to the unfolding miracle. This detail highlights the active role of human faith in response to divine command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jordan River, particularly in the spring (corresponding to the barley harvest, typically April-May), is known to swell significantly due to melting snows from Mount Hermon and heavy seasonal rains. At this time, it transforms from a relatively modest stream into a formidable, fast-flowing torrent, making an unassisted crossing impossible for a large multitude. The mention of "harvest" (Hebrew: _qatsir_) specifically points to this period of high water. Culturally, the Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object to Israel, symbolizing God's throne, His covenant with His people, and His active presence among them. Its leading role in the crossing underscored that this was not a human military maneuver, but a divinely orchestrated act of conquest and fulfillment of covenant promises, demonstrating God's power over creation and His faithfulness to His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. It emphasizes **God's Sovereignty and Power** over nature, demonstrating His ability to overcome any obstacle for His people, even a raging river at its peak. The act of the priests stepping into the water highlights the theme of **Faith and Obedience**, showing that divine intervention often requires human initiative born of trust in God's promises, as seen in [Joshua 3:7-8](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7-8 - God Exalts Joshua and Commands the Priests"). The **Leadership of God through the Ark** is central, affirming that God Himself is leading His people into the Promised Land, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abram")). Finally, the overflowing Jordan serves as a powerful symbol of **Overcoming Insurmountable Obstacles**, illustrating that seemingly impossible barriers can be overcome when God is at work, echoing the earlier deliverance at the [Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jordan (Hebrew, _Yarden'_):** This river, flowing from Mount Hermon south to the Dead Sea, served as a significant geographical and historical boundary. Its name is thought to derive from a root meaning "to descend," fitting its course. In this context, the Jordan is not merely a geographical feature but a formidable natural barrier, representing the final physical obstacle to Israel's entry into the Promised Land. Its crossing marks a new phase in Israel's history, moving from wilderness wandering to settlement.
* **overfloweth (Hebrew, _male'_):** The root means "to be full, to fill." Here, it describes the river at its maximum capacity, swollen and spilling beyond its normal confines. This term emphasizes the sheer volume and power of the water, making the subsequent cessation of flow an even more astounding and undeniable miracle. It highlights the magnitude of the challenge the Israelites faced and the supernatural scale of God's intervention.
* **harvest (Hebrew, _qatsir'_):** This refers specifically to the time of the barley harvest, which typically occurs in the spring (around April). This season coincides with the melting of snow from Mount Hermon and increased rainfall, causing the Jordan to be at its highest and most dangerous. The inclusion of this detail is not incidental; it precisely sets the scene to maximize the dramatic impact of the miracle, demonstrating God's power over the most challenging natural conditions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan":** This phrase establishes the central role of the Ark of the Covenant, the visible symbol of God's presence and authority. The "they" refers to the priests, specifically the Levites, who were designated to carry this sacred object. Their arrival at the riverbank signifies the culmination of the journey from Shittim and the immediate proximity to the final barrier before entering Canaan. It underscores that God, through His chosen vessel, is leading the way.
* **"and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water":** This is the pivotal moment of faith and obedience. The priests, carrying the most holy object, are commanded to make physical contact with the turbulent, overflowing waters. This act of stepping in _before_ the miracle occurs is crucial. It demonstrates their complete trust in God's word, even when the circumstances appear perilous and contrary to logic. Their initial step triggers the divine action, making their faith an active prerequisite for the miracle.
* **"(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)":** This parenthetical clause serves as a crucial explanatory note, providing the necessary context to fully appreciate the magnitude of the impending miracle. It clarifies that the river was not merely passable but was at its most formidable and dangerous state. This detail eliminates any natural explanation for the crossing, unequivocally attributing the subsequent parting of the waters to the supernatural power of God alone. It amplifies the wonder and the divine authority demonstrated.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Parenthetical Explanation** is evident in the clause "(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)", which provides essential background information that magnifies the miracle. This detail serves as a form of **Amplification**, intensifying the reader's understanding of the immense challenge faced by the Israelites and thus the extraordinary nature of God's intervention. The overflowing Jordan itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing the formidable, seemingly insurmountable obstacles that stand between God's people and His promised blessings. The act of the priests stepping into the water, before it parts, is a form of **Dramatic Irony** for the reader, who knows the outcome, but for the characters, it is an act of profound **Faith** that highlights the tension and the necessity of trust. The entire scene also carries a strong sense of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the greater display of divine power that is about to unfold in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 3:15 is a profound theological statement about God's power, faithfulness, and the nature of human faith. It demonstrates that God often calls His people to step out in obedience into challenging circumstances before He reveals His solution. The overflowing Jordan, an impossible barrier by human standards, serves as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to make a way where there is no way. This event solidifies Joshua's leadership, confirming him as God's chosen successor to Moses, and reminds Israel that their entry into the Promised Land is not by their might but by divine intervention. It underscores the principle that God's presence, 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 most clearly.

* [Exodus 14:21-22](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21-22 - The Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Psalm 114:3-5](/psalm/114-3-5 "Psalm 114:3-5 - Nature Trembles Before God")
* [Hebrews 11:29](/hebrews/11-29 "Hebrews 11:29 - By Faith They Crossed the Red Sea")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 3:15 offers a timeless lesson for believers facing their own "Jordan moments." It challenges us to consider where God might be calling us to step out in faith, even when the path ahead seems overwhelming, dangerous, or impossible. Just as the priests had to dip their feet into the raging river before it parted, we are often called to take the first step of obedience and trust, even when we cannot see the full solution. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing, knowing that He often allows circumstances to reach their most challenging point to magnify His power and ensure that His intervention is undeniably supernatural. It reminds us that God's presence, like the Ark, goes before us, leading the way through the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of life—be they financial crises, health battles, relational breakdowns, or spiritual wildernesses. Our act of faith, however small, can be the catalyst for God to open a way where there was none, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises and His desire to lead us into His promised blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "overflowing Jordan" might God be calling me to step into by faith today?**
* **How does the detail of the Jordan being at flood stage impact my understanding of God's power and timing in my own life's challenges?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's presence (the "Ark") to lead me, even when the path is unclear or intimidating?**
* **What specific act of obedience, however small, might God be asking of me to initiate His miraculous intervention?**

### 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 crucial for several reasons. First, it eliminates any possibility of a natural explanation for the crossing, making the subsequent parting of the waters an undeniable miracle of God. Had the river been at a low ebb, skeptics might attribute the crossing to a natural phenomenon. Second, it highlights the immense power and sovereignty of God over creation. He chose the most challenging moment to demonstrate His ability to overcome any obstacle for His people. Third, it magnifies the faith and obedience of the priests and the people; they were commanded to step into a dangerous, raging torrent, not a gentle stream, which underscores their trust in God's word (see [Joshua 3:7-8](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7-8 - God Commands the Priests")). This detail ensures that the glory for the crossing belongs entirely to God, confirming His presence and power among His people as they entered the 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 is profoundly significant. The Ark represented the very presence of God among His people, His throne, and the physical embodiment of His covenant with Israel. By having the priests, who were consecrated for service to God, carry the Ark and lead the way, it emphasized that God Himself was leading His people into the Promised Land. It was not a human military strategy, but a divine initiative. The Ark's presence sanctified the path and symbolized God's active role in conquering the land and fulfilling His promises. Furthermore, the fact that the priests' feet had to touch the water before it parted underscored the principle of faith and obedience: God's power was unleashed in response to their courageous step of trust, demonstrating that divine action often awaits human response to divine command. This act also served to confirm Joshua's leadership, as God had promised to magnify him in the sight of all Israel (see [Joshua 3:7](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7 - God Exalts Joshua")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, initiated by the priests stepping into the overflowing waters with the Ark, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Jordan, a formidable barrier to the Promised Land, can be seen as a type of the insurmountable barrier of sin and death that separates humanity from God's true spiritual "promised land" of eternal life and fellowship. Just as the Ark, symbolizing God's presence, led the way through the waters, so Jesus Christ, the ultimate embodiment of God's presence ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), has opened the way for us. His baptism in the Jordan River ([Matthew 3:13-17](/matthew/3-13-17 "Matthew 3:13-17 - The Baptism of Jesus")), though not a parting of waters, marked the beginning of His public ministry, through which He would ultimately conquer sin and death. Christ Himself is the "new and living way" ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")) who has passed through the ultimate "overflowing Jordan" of God's judgment on sin, making it possible for all who believe to enter into the true rest and inheritance found in God's kingdom. He is our High Priest, who has not only dipped His feet but has fully entered into the waters of death and emerged victorious, leading us into the spiritual Canaan of God's presence and promises ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ in Baptism")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 12:15

These [are] they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all [them] of the valleys, [both] toward the east, and toward the west.

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.

Jeremiah 12:5

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and [if] in the land of peace, [wherein] thou trustedst, [they wearied thee], then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

Joshua 4:18

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.

Jeremiah 49:19

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who [is] a chosen [man, that] I may appoint over her? for who [is] like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who [is] that shepherd that will stand before me?

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Deuteronomy 16:9

Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from [such time as] thou beginnest [to put] the sickle to the corn.