Joshua 3:16

KJV

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.

Commentary

### 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 (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 (Joshua 4:1-9) and the circumcision of the new generation at Gilgal (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 (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 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](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - 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
* **Stood (Hebrew, _'amad'_):** This verb denotes not merely a static position but an active cessation or holding back. In this context, it vividly conveys the supernatural force that arrested the downward flow of the mighty Jordan River. It implies a deliberate, powerful intervention, not a natural phenomenon, causing the water to pile up as if against an invisible wall.
* **Heap (Hebrew, _ned_):** This specific term, used here to describe the piled-up waters, is highly significant. It is the same word found in [Exodus 15:8](/exodus/15-8 "Exodus 15:8 - The Song of Moses") to describe the waters of the Red Sea that "stood up as an heap." The deliberate use of _ned_ here creates an unmistakable literary and theological parallel between the Jordan crossing and the Red Sea crossing, underscoring God's consistent power and faithfulness across generations and confirming Joshua's leadership as a new Moses.

#### 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" and "Zaretan," are crucial. Adam (modern Tell ed-Damiyah) is located about 17 miles north of Jericho, and Zaretan (likely Tell es-Sa'idiyeh) 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 distance 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, even the salt sea") until the riverbed was completely dry. The terms "failed" and "were cut off" 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.
* **"and the people passed over right against Jericho."** This final clause states the successful outcome of the miracle. The Israelites, a vast multitude, were able to cross the Jordan River on dry ground, directly opposite the strategic city of Jericho, 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.

#### 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 _ned_ 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.

* [Exodus 14:21-22](/exodus/14-21-22 "Exodus 14:21-22 - The Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Psalm 114:1-5](/psalms/114-1-5 "Psalm 114:1-5 - God's Power Over Nature")
* [Isaiah 43:16-19](/isaiah/43-16-19 "Isaiah 43:16-19 - God Making a Way in the Wilderness")

### 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
* **What "Jordan River" obstacles are you facing in your life right now that seem insurmountable?**
* **In what areas is God calling you to take a step of faith, even before you see the full solution?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, both in Scripture and in your own life, strengthen your trust for current challenges?**
* **What does it mean for you to allow God's presence (like the Ark) to lead you into new territory or through difficult seasons?**

### 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](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7 - God's Exaltation of Joshua").

**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 [Joshua](/joshua/1 "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 (John 1:29). He is the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), 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 (Hebrews 10:19-20), inviting us to walk on dry ground into the fullness of God's promises.

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

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.

Genesis 14:3

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

1 Kings 4:12

Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam:

1 Kings 7:46

In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

Psalms 114:3

The sea saw [it], and fled: Jordan was driven back.

Deuteronomy 1:1

¶ These [be] the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red [sea], between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Numbers 34:3

Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: