TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
And the priests H3548 that bare H5375 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD H3068 stood H5975 firm H3559 on dry ground H2724 in the midst H8432 of Jordan H3383, and all the Israelites H3478 passed over H5674 on dry ground H2724, until all the people H1471 were passed H5674 clean H8552 over H5674 Jordan H3383.
Complete Jewish Bible
The cohanim carrying the ark for the covenant of ADONAI stood fast on dry ground in the middle of the Yarden, while all Isra'el crossed on dry ground, until the entire nation had finished crossing the Yarden.
Berean Standard Bible
The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan.
American Standard Version
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over the Jordan.
World English Bible Messianic
The priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation had passed completely over the Jordan.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But the Priestes that bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, stoode drie within Iorden readie prepared, and all the Israelites went ouer dry, vntill all the people were gone cleane ouer through Iorden.
Young's Literal Translation
and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of Jehovah stand on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan--established, and all Israel are passing over on dry ground till that all the nation hath completed to pass over the Jordan.
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In the KJVVerse 5,911 of 31,102
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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 3:17 climactically portrays the miraculous passage of the Israelites through the Jordan River, where the priests, bearing the sacred Ark of the Covenant, stood unmovingly on the miraculously dried riverbed. This divine intervention allowed the entire nation to cross safely into the Promised Land, signifying God's omnipotent power, His unwavering presence leading His people, and the faithful fulfillment of His ancient promises. This pivotal event marks a profound transition from forty years of wilderness wandering to the commencement of Israel's inheritance and settlement in Canaan.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 3:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message and underscore the divine nature of the event. Symbolism is paramount, with the Ark of the Covenant representing God's active presence, His covenant faithfulness, and His sovereign authority, while the Jordan River symbolizes a formidable, divinely overcome barrier to the Promised Land. The act of the priests standing "firm on dry ground" uses vivid Imagery to create a powerful mental picture of stability, divine control, and an impossible situation made possible. The repeated phrase "on dry ground" functions as Repetition, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event and intentionally echoing the earlier Red Sea crossing, thereby linking these two foundational acts of divine deliverance and establishing a pattern of God's faithfulness. The entire narrative is a grand display of Divine Intervention, where God's power is the primary agent, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 3:17 is a profound theological statement about God's power, presence, and faithfulness in leading His people through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It serves as a powerful reminder that the God who delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt is the same God who will bring them into their promised inheritance. The miracle at the Jordan is not merely an isolated event but a continuation of God's redemptive history, affirming His commitment to His covenant promises and His ability to make a way where there is none. It teaches that God's presence, powerfully symbolized by the Ark, is the key to overcoming barriers and entering into new seasons of blessing and fulfillment. This passage underscores that God's purposes for His people are unstoppable when they walk in obedience and trust.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 3:17 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating life's challenges. Just as Israel faced a formidable Jordan River, we too encounter "Jordans" – seemingly impassable obstacles, significant transitions, overwhelming fears, or periods of profound uncertainty that stand between us and God's promised future. This verse encourages us to remember that the same God who parted the Jordan for Israel is with us today, capable of making a way through our impossible situations. It calls us to a radical trust in His leading, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or requires a bold step of faith. Like the priests, we are invited to step into the "waters" of our challenges, trusting that God's presence (through the indwelling Holy Spirit) goes before us, making firm ground where there was only chaos. Our obedience, even when it feels risky or defies human logic, can pave the way not only for our own breakthrough but also for others to witness God's power and faithfulness. This passage reminds us that God is faithful to bring us into new seasons of His purposes and to fulfill His promises in our lives as we walk in obedient faith, demonstrating His glory to a watching world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was it important for the priests to stand in the Jordan with the Ark, rather than just waiting on the bank?
Answer: The priests standing in the Jordan with the Ark was critically important for several profound reasons. First, it demonstrated God's direct and active involvement in the miracle. The Ark, symbolizing God's presence, His throne, and the very essence of His covenant with Israel, was not merely a spectator but the central point around which the miracle unfolded. Second, it was a profound act of faith and obedience on the part of the priests. Stepping into the overflowing river, against all natural reason, required immense courage and trust in God's command, serving as a powerful example for the entire nation. Their unwavering stance in the midst of the riverbed, holding the Ark, was a tangible sign that God Himself was making a way and holding back the waters. This visual reinforced God's sovereignty and validated Joshua's leadership, showing that God was truly with them as He had been with Moses (Joshua 3:7). It signified that the miracle was sustained by God's ongoing presence, not by human effort or natural phenomena, thus ensuring that all glory redounded to Him.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, culminating in Joshua 3:17, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. Just as the Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's presence among His people, Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of God's presence, the very Word made flesh who "dwelt among us" (John 1:14). He is the true and greater Ark, in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9), and through whom God's covenant promises are perfectly fulfilled. The Jordan crossing typologically foreshadows the new covenant passage from the old life of sin and wilderness wandering into the spiritual "Promised Land" of salvation and new life in Christ. This transition is powerfully symbolized by Christian baptism, which, though not salvific in itself, represents our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, a crossing over from death to life, from the old self to the new creation (Romans 6:3-4). Jesus, through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, has made a way through the ultimate barrier of sin and death, opening the path to eternal life and true spiritual rest (Hebrews 4:9-10). He is the one who stands firm in the midst of our "Jordans" – our deepest challenges and the chasm of sin – leading us safely through impossible situations, not by a physical Ark, but by His abiding Spirit, ushering us into the glorious inheritance of God's children (Ephesians 1:11-14).