TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
That the waters H4325 which came down H3381 from above H4605 stood H5975 and rose up H6965 upon an H259 heap H5067 very H3966 far H7368 from the city H5892 Adam H121, that is beside H6654 Zaretan H6891: and those that came down H3381 toward the sea H3220 of the plain H6160, even the salt H4417 sea H3220, failed H8552, and were cut off H3772: and the people H5971 passed over H5674 right against Jericho H3405.
Complete Jewish Bible
the water upstream stood piled up like an embankment for a great distance at Adam, the city next to Tzartan; so that the water flowing downstream toward the Sea of the 'Aravah, the Dead Sea, was completely cut off; and the people crossed over right by Yericho.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
American Standard Version
that the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
World English Bible Messianic
the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people passed over right against Jericho.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then the waters that came downe from aboue, stayed and rose vpon an heape and departed farre from the citie of Adam, that was beside Zaretan: but the waters that came downe towarde the Sea of the wildernes, euen the salt Sea, failed, and were cut off: so the people went right ouer against Iericho.
Young's Literal Translation
that the waters stand; those coming down from above have risen--one heap, very far above Adam the city, which is at the side of Zaretan; and those going down by the sea of the plain, the Salt Sea, have been completely cut off; and the people have passed through over-against Jericho;
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 5,910 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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.
Copy as
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON JOSHUA 4.2
Still I believe it was not without reference to a mystery that this was written, that part of the waters of the Jordan plunges into the sea and flows into bitterness, while the other part continues on in sweetness. For if all who are baptized maintained the sweetness of the heavenly grace they received and no one were changed into the bitterness of sins, it would never have been written that part of the river was plunged into the abyss of the salty sea. Therefore, it seems to me that the variety of those baptized is designated in these words, a variety we ourselves—I remember with grief—often see occur. When some who receive holy baptism surrender themselves again to the affairs of the world and to the lures of pleasure, and when they drink the salty cup of avarice, they are symbolized by that part of the waters that flows into the sea and perishes in salty billows. But the part that continues steadfast and protects its own sweetness stands for those who unchangeably hold the gift of God they have received.
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Joshua 3:16 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Joshua 3:16 vividly describes the miraculous intervention of God, halting the flow of the Jordan River and enabling the Israelites to cross into the Promised Land on dry ground. This pivotal event, occurring as the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the swollen waters, served as a powerful demonstration of divine power, a confirmation of Joshua's leadership, and a tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises to His people, setting the stage for their conquest of Canaan.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 3:16 is the climactic moment in the narrative of Israel's crossing of the Jordan River, immediately following God's specific instructions to Joshua regarding the role of the priests and the Ark of the Covenant. The preceding verses, found in Joshua 3:1-15, detail the preparations: the people consecrating themselves, the Ark being carried by the Levites, and the command for the priests to step into the Jordan. This miracle directly precedes the establishment of a memorial (recorded in Joshua 4:1-9) and the circumcision of the new generation at Gilgal (described in Joshua 5:2-9), marking their entry into the covenant land and their renewed commitment to God before the conquest of Jericho. The entire passage underscores God's active presence and leadership in bringing His people into their inheritance.
Historical & Cultural Context: The crossing of the Jordan occurred during the spring harvest season, a detail explicitly mentioned in Joshua 3:15, a time when the river was typically at its flood stage due to melting snows from Mount Hermon and seasonal rains, making it a formidable natural barrier. This context significantly amplifies the miraculous nature of the event, as the river would have been exceptionally wide and swift. The geographical markers "city Adam" (modern Tell ed-Damiyah) and "Zaretan" (likely modern Tell es-Sa'idiyeh) pinpoint a location approximately 17-20 miles upstream from Jericho, where the waters were supernaturally held back. This precise geographical detail lends historical credibility to the account, suggesting a specific, observable event. The Ark of the Covenant, central to the crossing, represented God's tangible presence, His throne, and the very covenant He had made with Israel, emphasizing that it was God Himself leading the way.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully illustrates several foundational themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Power over Creation, echoing the Red Sea crossing where God also manipulated natural elements to deliver His people. It demonstrates that no obstacle, however great, can thwart God's purposes for His chosen people. Another significant theme is Faith and Obedience, as the miracle only occurred after the priests stepped into the water, requiring an act of trust in God's command (Joshua 3:15). This act of faith was a prerequisite for witnessing God's mighty deliverance. Furthermore, the event serves as a Confirmation of Joshua's Leadership, publicly validating him as God's chosen successor to Moses in the eyes of all Israel (Joshua 3:7). Finally, the crossing symbolizes God's Fulfillment of His Covenant Promises, particularly the promise of the land made to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) and reiterated to Joshua (Joshua 1:3-4), as Israel finally enters their inheritance.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
"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:" This clause details the miraculous upstream blockage of the Jordan. The waters flowing from the north, originating from Mount Hermon, ceased their natural course and accumulated in a massive, unnatural "heap." The precise geographical markers, "city Adam" (modern Tell ed-Damiyah, H121) and "Zaretan" (likely Tell es-Sa'idiyeh, H6891), are crucial. Adam is located about 17 miles north of Jericho, and Zaretan is near it. This specificity indicates that the stoppage occurred far upstream, creating a long stretch of dry riverbed for the multitude of Israelites to cross. The phrase "very far" (H3966, H7368) emphasizes the scale of the miracle, as the entire lower Jordan valley was affected, not just the immediate crossing point.
"and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off:" This part of the verse describes the downstream effect of the upstream blockage. The waters that were already south of the blockage continued to flow into the Dead Sea ("the sea of the plain," H6160; "the salt sea," H4417, H3220) until the riverbed was completely dry. The terms "failed" (H8552) and "were cut off" (H3772) emphasize the complete cessation of flow, leaving a clear path. This dual description of waters piling up upstream and draining away downstream confirms the absolute and comprehensive nature of the divine intervention, ensuring the entire riverbed was traversable.
"and the people passed over right against Jericho." This final clause states the successful outcome of the miracle. The Israelites, a vast multitude (H5971), were able to cross (H5674) the Jordan River on dry ground, directly opposite the strategic city of Jericho (H3405), their first target in the conquest of Canaan. This crossing was not merely a logistical feat but a powerful theological statement: God had cleared the way for His people to enter their promised inheritance, fulfilling His ancient covenant promises and demonstrating His active presence at the threshold of the land.
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. Hyperbole is present in the description of the waters rising "upon an heap," emphasizing the extraordinary and unnatural piling up of the river, far beyond any typical natural phenomenon. This exaggeration serves to highlight the divine power at work. Parallelism is a dominant feature, particularly the explicit echo of the Red Sea crossing through the use of the Hebrew word nêd' for "heap." This intertextual connection powerfully links the two great acts of salvation in Israel's history, establishing a pattern of divine deliverance and confirming God's consistent character. The detailed geographical markers (city Adam, Zaretan, the Salt Sea, Jericho) function as a form of verisimilitude, grounding the miraculous event in a specific, observable reality, thereby enhancing its historical credibility and underscoring that this was a real event in a real place, not a myth. The entire narrative functions as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God's presence and power, intended to inspire awe and reinforce faith in both the immediate participants and future generations.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 3:16 stands as a monumental testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotent power in fulfilling His covenant promises. It is a divine sign, much like the plagues in Egypt or the parting of the Red Sea, designed to demonstrate to Israel and the surrounding nations that the Lord God is truly sovereign over all creation and actively working on behalf of His people. This miracle not only removed a physical barrier but also served as a spiritual confirmation, solidifying Joshua's leadership and reinforcing Israel's identity as the people led by the living God into their promised inheritance. It teaches that God's presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, is the ultimate assurance of victory and provision, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River in Joshua 3:16 offers profound lessons for believers today. It powerfully illustrates that God is capable of removing any obstacle, no matter how formidable, when we step out in faith and obedience to His call. Just as the priests had to place their feet in the swollen waters before the river parted, we are often called to take a step of faith into the unknown, trusting that God will make a way where there appears to be none. This passage invites us to consider what "Jordan Rivers" stand in our path—perhaps financial difficulties, relational strife, career uncertainties, or spiritual stagnation. It is a reminder that our God is not limited by natural circumstances or human impossibilities. His presence, like the Ark, goes before us, clearing the path and empowering us to walk into the spiritual inheritance and purposes He has for us. The call is to trust His power, to obey His leading, and to remember that the same God who parted the Jordan is active in our lives today, ready to make a way for us to advance into His promises.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the significance of the Jordan River being at flood stage during the crossing?
Answer: The fact that the Jordan River was "overflowing all its banks" (Joshua 3:15) during the harvest season significantly amplifies the miraculous nature of the event. At this time of year, due to melting snows from Mount Hermon and seasonal rains, the river would have been at its widest, deepest, and swiftest, presenting an impassable barrier to a multitude of people, especially with livestock and possessions. This condition removed any possibility of a natural explanation for the crossing, unequivocally demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over nature and His direct intervention to make a way for His people. It served as an undeniable sign of His power to both Israel and the surrounding Canaanite nations, fulfilling His promise to Joshua in Joshua 3:7.
Why was the Ark of the Covenant so central to the Jordan crossing?
Answer: The Ark of the Covenant was central because it symbolized the very presence of God among His people. It was not merely a sacred object but represented God's throne, His covenant faithfulness, and His active leadership. By having the priests carry the Ark into the Jordan first, God was demonstrating that He Himself was leading Israel into the Promised Land and that it was His power, not human strength or strategy, that would overcome the obstacles. The Ark's leading role emphasized that the crossing was a divine act, and Israel's success was entirely dependent on God's initiative and power, reinforcing the theme of God fighting for His people as seen throughout the book of Joshua.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous parting of the Jordan River in Joshua 3:16, enabling Israel's entry into the Promised Land, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Jordan represented a final, seemingly impassable barrier to Israel's inheritance, so too does sin and death stand as an insurmountable chasm between humanity and eternal life. Jesus, our true and greater Joshua (a name etymologically linked to Jesus, meaning "Yahweh saves"), is the one who parts the waters of judgment and death for us. His death and resurrection are the ultimate "cutting off" of the power of sin, creating a new and living way into the true promised land—eternal life in God's presence. Through His baptism in the Jordan, Jesus identified with humanity's need for cleansing, and through His cross, He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making a way for us to cross from spiritual death to life. He is the "way, the truth, and the life", the one who clears every obstacle, enabling us to enter into the spiritual inheritance of sonship and communion with God, an inheritance secured not by our obedience to a physical command, but by faith in His finished work (Ephesians 1:11-14). Just as the Ark led Israel, Christ, our High Priest, has gone before us, opening the path to the heavenly sanctuary, inviting us to walk on dry ground into the fullness of God's promises.