Joshua 4:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when the priests {H3548} that bare {H5375} the ark {H727} of the covenant {H1285} of the LORD {H3068} were come up {H5927} out of the midst {H8432} of Jordan {H3383}, and the soles {H3709} of the priests {H3548}' feet {H7272} were lifted up {H5423} unto the dry land {H2724}, that the waters {H4325} of Jordan {H3383} returned {H7725} unto their place {H4725}, and flowed {H3212} over all his banks {H1415}, as {H8543} they did before {H8032}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohanim carrying the ark for the covenant of ADONAI came up from the Yarden riverbed, and as soon as the soles of the feet of the cohanim touched dry ground, the water of the Yarden returned to its place and the river overflowed its banks as it had before.

Berean Standard Bible

When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah were come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 4:18 serves as the climactic conclusion to Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, precisely marking the moment God's supernatural intervention ceased. As the priests, bearing the sacred Ark of the Covenant, completed their passage onto the western bank, the divinely held-back waters of the Jordan immediately surged back to their normal, overflowing state. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation, His meticulous timing, and the complete fulfillment of His promise to bring His people safely into the Promised Land, solidifying Joshua's leadership and Israel's faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the precise denouement to the extraordinary events detailed in [Joshua chapter 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - The Jordan Crossing") and the preceding verses of [Joshua chapter 4](/joshua/4 "Joshua 4 - Memorial Stones and River Restored"). Having spent forty years in the wilderness, the Israelites stood on the threshold of Canaan. The formidable obstacle of the Jordan River, at its annual flood stage during the harvest, was supernaturally parted as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into its waters ([Joshua 3:15-16](/joshua/3-15 "Joshua 3:15-16 - Jordan River Parts")). While the nation crossed on dry ground, the priests remained in the riverbed until every Israelite had passed. [Joshua 4:1-17](/joshua/4-1 "Joshua 4:1-17 - Setting Up Memorial Stones") describes the command to take twelve stones from the riverbed as a memorial and the subsequent erection of a second set of stones at Gilgal. Once these acts of remembrance were completed, [Joshua 4:18](/joshua/4-18 "Joshua 4:18 - Jordan River Returns") records the immediate restoration of the river's flow, confirming the completion of the divine act and the safe passage of God's people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jordan River, particularly during the spring harvest (April/May), swells significantly from melting snows of Mount Hermon, making it a formidable, often impassable, barrier. For ancient peoples, a river at flood stage represented a virtually insurmountable natural defense. The miraculous parting of the Jordan, therefore, was not merely a convenient passage but a profound demonstration of Yahweh's power over nature, echoing the [Red Sea crossing](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Red Sea Crossing") under Moses. This event served to establish Joshua's authority as God's chosen leader, just as Moses' authority had been confirmed, and to instill fear of Israel's God in the hearts of the Canaanite inhabitants ([Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession")). The Ark of the Covenant, central to the miracle, was the physical representation of God's presence and His covenant with Israel, underscoring that it was God, not human strength, who achieved this feat.

* **Key Themes:** The events surrounding the Jordan crossing, culminating in [Joshua 4:18](/joshua/4-18 "Joshua 4:18 - Jordan River Returns"), powerfully articulate several key themes. Firstly, **Divine Control and Sovereignty** are paramount; the river's waters ceased and resumed flow at God's precise command, demonstrating His absolute dominion over creation. Secondly, the **Confirmation of God's Presence** is evident through the Ark of the Covenant, which acted as the focal point of the miracle, assuring Israel that Yahweh was indeed with them as they entered the land. Thirdly, the **Precision and Completeness of God's Work** is highlighted by the immediate return of the waters only after the priests' feet touched dry land, signifying that God's intervention was perfectly timed and fully accomplished. Finally, this event represents a significant **Fulfillment of Promise**, marking a crucial step in God's ancient covenant with Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")). The miracle solidified Joshua's leadership and strengthened the nation's faith as they prepared to inherit their promised inheritance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ark of the Covenant of the LORD (Hebrew, _'aron habberith Yahweh'_):** This phrase emphasizes the sacred chest's dual significance. "Ark" (_'aron_) denotes a container, but here it is the vessel of God's presence. "Covenant" (_berith_) refers to the binding agreement between God and Israel, specifically the Mosaic Law contained within the Ark. "LORD" (_Yahweh_) is God's personal, covenantal name, signifying His active, faithful presence. The full phrase underscores that the miracle was not due to the Ark itself, but to the sovereign God whose presence it represented and whose covenant promises it embodied.
* **Lifted up unto the dry land (Hebrew, _nasa' el hayyabbashah'_):** The verb _nasa'_ means "to lift up" or "to carry." The phrase "lifted up unto the dry land" vividly describes the priests' final steps out of the riverbed onto the western bank. This precise action signals the absolute completion of their duty and, by extension, the entire nation's crossing. It underscores the immediate and precise cessation of the miraculous intervention, highlighting God's perfect timing and the thoroughness of His divine acts; the miracle was sustained only as long as absolutely necessary.
* **Returned unto their place (Hebrew, _shuv el meqomam'_):** The verb _shuv_ means "to return" or "to turn back." This phrase signifies the immediate and complete restoration of the Jordan River to its natural, pre-miracle state. The waters did not slowly trickle back but "returned unto their place," indicating a sudden, divinely orchestrated reversal. This detail emphasizes that the parting was entirely supernatural and temporary, solely for God's specific purpose, and that once that purpose was fulfilled, the natural order was instantly re-established.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"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,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate cause for the river's return: the priests, who had stood in the riverbed with the Ark of God's presence, were now completing their ascent out of the miraculous dry path. Their presence, signifying God's active intervention, was essential to the miracle's sustenance.
* **"[and] the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land,"**: This vivid detail pinpoints the exact moment of transition. It's not just that the priests were "coming up," but that their very last steps, the lifting of their feet from the riverbed onto the solid, dry ground of the western bank, triggered the change. This emphasizes the divine precision and the direct correlation between the priests' obedience and the miraculous event.
* **"that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place,"**: This is the immediate consequence of the priests' exit. The "waters of Jordan," which had been supernaturally held back upstream, instantly surged back. "Returned unto their place" implies a complete and rapid restoration of the river's flow, demonstrating that the previous stoppage was entirely a supernatural act, not a natural phenomenon.
* **"and flowed over all his banks, as [they did] before."**: This final phrase confirms the full restoration of the river to its normal, flood-stage condition. The Jordan was not merely flowing again but was "flowing over all his banks," just as it had been before the miracle began. This detail reinforces the magnitude of the initial miracle and the completeness of its reversal, leaving no doubt about God's absolute control over every aspect of the event.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 4:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its theological message. **Narrative Climax** is evident as this verse provides the resolution to the dramatic tension built in the preceding chapters regarding the Jordan crossing. It marks the precise end of the supernatural intervention, bringing the narrative arc of the crossing to a definitive close. **Divine Causation** is central, as the text explicitly links the priests' actions (representing God's command) to the immediate and precise return of the waters, leaving no room for naturalistic explanations. The entire event functions as **Symbolism**, with the Jordan River representing an insurmountable barrier that only God can overcome, and the Ark of the Covenant symbolizing God's active, covenantal presence among His people. Furthermore, the account of the Jordan crossing, concluded by this verse, establishes a powerful **Parallelism** with the Red Sea crossing ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing")), reinforcing God's consistent power and faithfulness across generations and leaders, confirming Joshua's divine appointment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:18 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty, not only over the natural world but also over the timing and execution of His redemptive plans. The immediate return of the Jordan's waters upon the priests' exit underscores that God's miraculous interventions are purposeful, precisely timed, and cease once His specific objective is achieved. This demonstrates a God who is not chaotic or arbitrary but meticulously orchestrates events for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His promises. It also highlights the importance of human obedience (the priests remaining until commanded to move) in the unfolding of divine will. The event served as a powerful testimony to Israel, and to the surrounding nations, that Yahweh was indeed with them, confirming His covenant faithfulness and empowering them for the daunting task of conquering Canaan.

* [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Red Sea Crossing")
* [Psalm 104:7](/psalms/104-7 "Psalm 104:7 - God's Control Over Waters")
* [Deuteronomy 31:8](/deuteronomy/31-8 "Deuteronomy 31:8 - God's Presence and Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 4:18 offers a profound lesson for believers today: God's power is not limited by any obstacle, and His timing is perfect. Just as He opened a way through the Jordan and then restored its flow with such precision, He is capable of making a way through our seemingly insurmountable challenges and then bringing us back to a new "normal" once His purpose is accomplished. This verse calls us to trust in God's unwavering presence and His meticulous care, even when facing daunting circumstances. It reminds us that divine intervention is often tied to our obedient steps of faith, as seen in the priests' willingness to stand in the riverbed. The completion of the miracle, signified by the waters' return, assures us that God finishes what He starts, and His works are always purposeful and complete. We are encouraged to step out in faith, knowing that God will sustain us through the "crossing" and bring us safely to the other side, fulfilling His promises in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jordan Rivers" are you facing in your life that seem insurmountable, and how does this passage encourage you to trust God's power to make a way?**
* **How does the precision of God's timing in this event (the waters returning only when the priests' feet touched dry land) inform your understanding of waiting on God?**
* **In what ways does the Ark of the Covenant's centrality in this miracle prompt you to consider God's active presence in your own challenges?**
* **How can you apply the lesson of God's complete and purposeful work, as seen in the Jordan's return, to areas of unfinished business or uncertainty in your life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in this event?**

Answer: The Ark of the Covenant was central to the Jordan crossing because it represented the very presence of God among His people and the covenant He had established with Israel. It was not a magical object, but a tangible symbol of Yahweh's commitment and power. When the priests, bearing the Ark, stepped into the Jordan, it was God Himself, through His presence, who caused the waters to part ([Joshua 3:13](/joshua/3-13 "Joshua 3:13 - Ark of the Covenant and Jordan")). Similarly, when the Ark, carried by the priests, finally exited the riverbed, it signaled God's completion of the miracle, and the waters immediately returned. This emphasized that the entire event was a divine act, orchestrated by God's power and presence, not human effort or natural phenomena.

**Why did God make the waters return immediately?**

Answer: God made the waters return immediately for several key reasons, all highlighting His divine attributes. Firstly, it underscored the **precision and completeness** of His work; the miracle was sustained exactly as long as necessary to achieve its purpose—the safe passage of all Israel—and no longer. Secondly, it prevented any lingering reliance on the supernatural intervention itself, directing faith back to the **Sovereign God** who commanded it. The river's immediate return demonstrated that the parting was entirely His doing, a temporary suspension of natural law for a specific redemptive purpose. It also served as a clear demarcation, signaling the end of one phase (wilderness wandering and miraculous crossing) and the beginning of another (entering and conquering the Promised Land).

**How does this event relate to the Red Sea crossing?**

Answer: The Jordan River crossing is presented as a direct parallel and theological echo of the Red Sea crossing in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing"). Both events involve God miraculously parting waters to allow His people to pass on dry ground, demonstrating His absolute power over creation. Both served to confirm the leadership of God's chosen servant (Moses at the Red Sea, Joshua at the Jordan) in the eyes of Israel and their enemies. They were foundational acts of deliverance, marking significant transitions in Israel's journey from bondage to freedom and from wilderness to inheritance. The Jordan crossing, in particular, served as a powerful reminder to a new generation of Israelites that the same God who delivered their ancestors from Egypt was still with them, fulfilling His promises and empowering them for the challenges ahead ([Joshua 4:23-24](/joshua/4-23 "Joshua 4:23-24 - Remembering God's Power")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, culminated by the precise return of its waters in [Joshua 4:18](/joshua/4-18 "Joshua 4:18 - Jordan River Returns"), profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, opened the way into the earthly Promised Land, Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's presence, the very [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who opens the way into the true, heavenly inheritance. The Jordan, a barrier to the Promised Land, can be seen as a type of death or separation from God. Jesus, through His own "crossing" of death and resurrection, has overcome this ultimate barrier, providing a new and living way for all who believe to enter into eternal life and fellowship with God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - New and Living Way")). His resurrection, like the Jordan's waters returning, signified the completion of His redemptive work, securing our passage. Furthermore, Christian baptism, often involving immersion in water, symbolically connects believers to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, signifying our spiritual crossing from death to new life in Him ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Baptism and New Life"); [Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Buried and Raised with Christ")). Thus, Joshua 4:18, in its precise and powerful display of God's control and covenant faithfulness, points forward to the greater work of Christ, who is our ultimate way, truth, and life, leading us into the eternal presence of God ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way")).

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 3:15

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,)

Exodus 14:26

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

Exodus 14:28

And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, [and] all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

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.

Isaiah 8:8

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

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.