Joshua 3:17

KJV

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 3:17 describes the miraculous and climactic moment of the Israelites' passage through the Jordan River, where the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stood steadfastly on dry ground in the riverbed, allowing the entire nation to cross safely into the Promised Land. This verse underscores God's omnipotent power, His faithful presence leading His people, and the successful fulfillment of His ancient promises, marking a foundational transition from wilderness wandering to inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful culmination of the Jordan River crossing narrative, immediately following the dramatic account of the waters being cut off upstream at Adam (Joshua 3:16). It emphasizes the completion of the crossing, setting the stage for the subsequent events of establishing a memorial (Joshua 4:1-9) and the circumcision at Gilgal (Joshua 5:2-9), which signify Israel's renewed covenant commitment upon entering the land. The miraculous crossing itself parallels the Red Sea event (Joshua 4:23), reinforcing God's consistent intervention on behalf of His people as they journey toward His promised inheritance, thereby validating Joshua's leadership as a successor to Moses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The crossing of the Jordan occurred during the spring harvest season, a time when the river was typically at its fullest, overflowing its banks (Joshua 3:15). This natural condition made the crossing humanly impossible, highlighting the supernatural nature of God's intervention. For the Israelites, this event marked the end of their forty years of wilderness wandering, a period of judgment and preparation, and the beginning of their conquest and settlement in Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The central role of the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne and His covenant presence among His people ([Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - The Mercy Seat and God's Presence")), underscored that this was not merely a military maneuver but a divinely orchestrated act of salvation and fulfillment.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 3:17 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it showcases **Divine Power and Sovereignty**, as God demonstrates His absolute control over creation by parting the overflowing Jordan, echoing the earlier deliverance at [the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea"). Secondly, the **Faithfulness of God** is evident in His fulfilling the ancient promise to bring His people into the land, a promise reiterated to Joshua in [Joshua 1:3](/joshua/1-3 "Joshua 1:3 - Every Place Your Foot Treads"). Thirdly, the **Importance of Obedience and Trust** is highlighted by the priests' courageous act of stepping into the water, a prerequisite for the miracle, demonstrating that God often requires a step of faith before revealing His full power. Finally, the crossing signifies **New Beginnings and Transition**, marking the definitive end of the wilderness era and the commencement of Israel's life as a settled nation in the Promised Land, a significant turning point in their national history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dry ground (Hebrew, _yabbashah'_):** This term, also used in the Red Sea account ([Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea")), emphasizes the miraculous nature of the crossing. It signifies that the riverbed was not merely shallow or muddy, but completely firm and traversable, as if it had never been underwater. This detail highlights the completeness and supernatural quality of God's intervention, ensuring the safe passage of an entire nation without impediment.
* **Ark of the covenant of the LORD (Hebrew, _aron habberith Yahweh'_):** The full, formal title of the Ark underscores its profound theological significance. "Ark" (aron) refers to the chest containing the tablets of the Law, symbolizing God's presence and throne. "Covenant" (berith) points to the foundational agreement between God and Israel, mediated through Moses. "LORD" (Yahweh) is God's personal, covenantal name, emphasizing His active, relational presence and His commitment to His promises. The priests bearing this sacred object signify that God Himself, through His covenant and presence, was leading His people and making a way for them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan":** This clause highlights the immediate and direct involvement of God's presence (via the Ark) and the obedient faith of the priests. Their "standing firm" (literally "stood still") in the very center of the riverbed, as the waters were held back, demonstrates their unwavering trust and the stability provided by God's power. It was their presence, anchored by the Ark, that maintained the miraculous pathway.
* **"and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground":** This emphasizes the scope and success of the miracle. Not just a few, but "all the Israelites" – the entire nation, estimated to be millions – were able to cross safely. The repetition of "on dry ground" reinforces the supernatural nature of the passage, ensuring that every person experienced God's direct intervention and faithfulness.
* **"until all the people were passed clean over Jordan":** This concluding phrase signifies the complete and successful execution of God's plan. The miracle was sustained precisely for as long as needed, until the last person had safely reached the other side. This detail underscores God's thoroughness and His commitment to seeing His people through to the completion of their journey and the fulfillment of His promises.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 3:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the Ark of the Covenant representing God's active presence and covenant faithfulness, and the Jordan River symbolizing a formidable, divinely overcome barrier to the Promised Land. The act of the priests standing "firm on dry ground" uses **Imagery** to create a vivid mental picture of stability and divine control amidst an otherwise impossible situation. The repeated phrase "on dry ground" functions as **Repetition**, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event and echoing the earlier Red Sea crossing, thereby linking these two foundational acts of divine deliverance. The entire narrative is a grand display of **Divine Intervention**, where God's power is the primary agent, demonstrating His 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 Egypt is the same God who will bring them into their 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, symbolized by the Ark, is the key to overcoming barriers and entering into new seasons of blessing and fulfillment.

* [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Isaiah 43:2](/isaiah/43-2 "Isaiah 43:2 - God's Presence in Trials")
* [Hebrews 11:29](/hebrews/11-29 "Hebrews 11:29 - Faith Crossing the Red Sea")

### 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, or overwhelming fears 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 Holy Spirit) goes before us, making firm ground where there was only chaos. Our obedience, even when it feels risky, 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, fulfilling His promises in our lives as we walk in obedient faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jordan River" might God be calling you to cross in your life right now, and what does it represent?**
* **How does the steadfastness of the priests bearing the Ark inspire your own trust in God's presence during difficult transitions?**
* **What "dry ground" has God already provided for you in past challenges, and how can remembering those instances strengthen your faith for future obstacles?**

### 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 reasons. First, it demonstrated God's direct and active involvement in the miracle. The Ark, symbolizing God's presence and covenant, was not merely a spectator but the 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 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](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7 - God Magnifies Joshua")). It signified that the miracle was sustained by God's presence, not by human effort or natural phenomena.

### 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the true and greater Ark, in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). The Jordan crossing 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 and resurrection, a crossing over from death to life, from the old self to the new creation ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3 "Romans 6:3-4 - Baptism into Christ's Death and Resurrection")). Jesus, through His sacrificial death and 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](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). He is the one who stands firm in the midst of our "Jordans," 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.

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

Exodus 14:29

But the children of Israel walked upon dry [land] in the midst of the sea; and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Exodus 14:22

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Psalms 66:6

He turned the sea into dry [land]: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

2 Kings 2:8

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped [it] together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

Joshua 4:3

And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

Hebrews 11:29

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.