Joshua 4:19

KJV

And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth [day] of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the people {H5971} came up {H5927} out of Jordan {H3383} on the tenth {H6218} day of the first {H7223} month {H2320}, and encamped {H2583} in Gilgal {H1537}, in the east {H4217} border {H7097} of Jericho {H3405}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people came up out of the Yarden on the tenth day of the first month and camped at Gilgal, by the eastern boundary of Yericho.

Berean Standard Bible

On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.

American Standard Version

And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 4:19 marks the climactic moment of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, detailing their emergence from the Jordan River on the tenth day of the first month and their initial encampment at Gilgal, on the eastern border of Jericho. This verse encapsulates the culmination of forty years of wilderness wandering, signifying God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and establishing a new phase in the nation's redemptive history, poised for conquest and inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 4:19 concludes the narrative of Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground, an event orchestrated by God and facilitated by the ark of the covenant (as detailed in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - The Crossing of the Jordan") and [Joshua 4](/joshua/4 "Joshua 4 - Memorial Stones and Crossing")). The preceding verses emphasize the divine power displayed in stopping the Jordan's flow and the instruction to erect memorial stones from the riverbed as a perpetual sign for future generations ([Joshua 4:6-7](/joshua/4-6 "Joshua 4:6-7 - Memorial Stones for Future Generations")). This verse, therefore, serves as the immediate aftermath and the physical establishment of the people within the land, setting the stage for the subsequent military campaigns and the fulfillment of God's promise to give them the land. It transitions the narrative from the miraculous entry to the practical realities of inheritance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specific date, "the tenth [day] of the first month," is profoundly significant, as it was precisely four days before the Passover celebration ([Exodus 12:3](/exodus/12-3 "Exodus 12:3 - Instructions for Passover Lamb")). This timing deliberately links Israel's entry into Canaan with their foundational act of redemption from Egyptian slavery, emphasizing that their inheritance of the land was a continuation of God's redemptive plan. The "first month" is Nisan (Abib), marking the beginning of the religious year. Gilgal, strategically located on the "east border of Jericho," became Israel's primary base of operations for the initial conquest campaigns. It was not merely a military camp but also a crucial spiritual center where the new generation was circumcised, the reproach of Egypt was "rolled away," and the Passover was celebrated ([Joshua 5:2-10](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-10 - Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal")). This encampment marked a definitive end to their nomadic wilderness existence and the beginning of settled life in the land promised to their forefathers.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Timing**. God, true to His covenant with Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")), Isaac, and Jacob, meticulously orchestrates Israel's entry into the land at a precise, divinely appointed moment, demonstrating His perfect control over history. Secondly, it symbolizes **Transition and New Beginnings**. The generation of wilderness wanderers had passed away, and a new generation, sanctified by the Jordan crossing and soon by circumcision, was ready to inherit God's promises. This marked a profound shift from a nomadic, dependent existence to a settled, responsible nation. Thirdly, the choice of **Strategic Encampment** at Gilgal highlights both the military readiness for the conquest of Jericho ([Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho")) and the establishment of a spiritual hub where covenant obligations would be renewed and celebrated.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gilgal (Hebrew, _Gilgal_):** Meaning "a wheel" or "a circle," this place name becomes deeply significant in the narrative. While its literal etymology might refer to a circular stone structure or a rolling landscape, [Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach Rolled Away") provides a theological interpretation, linking it to the "rolling away" of the "reproach of Egypt" through the mass circumcision performed there. Thus, Gilgal symbolizes a place of covenant renewal, purification, and the removal of past shame, marking Israel's true spiritual entry into the land.
* **Tenth [day] of the first month (Hebrew, _ba'asor bachodesh harishon_):** This precise chronological marker is not merely incidental but carries immense theological weight. As noted in the context, it directly precedes the Passover, the foundational feast of Israel's redemption. This timing powerfully connects the new beginning in the Promised Land with the original act of deliverance from slavery, suggesting that the inheritance of Canaan is a further step in God's ongoing redemptive work for His people, rooting their future in their past salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the people came up out of Jordan":** This clause signifies the completion of the miraculous crossing, emphasizing the collective movement of the entire nation, not just a select few. It marks the physical transition from the wilderness into the fertile plains of Canaan, a tangible fulfillment of God's promise to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. The "coming up" implies an ascent from the riverbed to the dry ground, a triumphant emergence.
* **"on the tenth [day] of the first month":** This specific date highlights God's perfect timing and providential orchestration. It is not a random day but one laden with theological significance, linking the entry into the land directly to the Passover, Israel's foundational redemptive event. This connection underscores that their inheritance is rooted in God's covenant faithfulness and His ongoing work of salvation.
* **"and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.":** This describes their immediate destination and strategic location. Gilgal became their initial base camp, a place of both military significance (being near Jericho, the first city to be conquered) and profound spiritual importance. Its location on the "east border of Jericho" indicates their readiness for the challenges ahead, positioned to begin the conquest of the land from its most formidable entry point.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 4:19 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the "tenth day of the first month" functions as a powerful symbol connecting the entry into the Promised Land with the Passover, thereby linking the themes of inheritance and redemption. This precise timing also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the future spiritual significance of Gilgal as a place of covenant renewal and the "rolling away" of reproach. The entire narrative of the Jordan crossing, culminating in this verse, functions as a **Typology**, paralleling the Red Sea crossing and establishing a pattern of divine intervention at critical junctures of Israel's history. The **Narrative Focus** shifts from the miraculous act itself to the establishment of the people in the land, emphasizing the practical consequences of divine faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:19 is a profound theological statement on God's unwavering faithfulness and the culmination of His covenant promises. It demonstrates that divine promises are not merely theoretical but are brought to fruition in tangible, historical events. The meticulous timing and strategic location underscore God's sovereignty over all aspects of His people's journey, from their deliverance in Egypt to their inheritance of the land. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's redemptive plan is progressive and purposeful, moving His people from bondage to freedom, from wilderness to inheritance, and from promise to fulfillment. It highlights the importance of obedience and trust, as Israel's entry was contingent on their faith in God's command.

* [Exodus 12:3](/exodus/12-3 "Exodus 12:3 - Instructions for Passover Lamb")
* [Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach Rolled Away at Gilgal")
* [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promise of the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 4:19 invites us to reflect on the transitions and new beginnings in our own lives, recognizing God's perfect timing and faithfulness in every season. Just as Israel moved from the wilderness into their inheritance, believers today are called to step out in faith, trusting God to lead them into new territories of purpose and blessing. This verse reminds us that past deliverances (like the Red Sea and Jordan crossings) are foundational for future victories. We are encouraged to remember God's mighty acts in our lives, establishing spiritual "memorials" that testify to His power and faithfulness, much like the stones from the Jordan. As we face new challenges or enter new phases, we can draw confidence from the fact that the same God who led Israel across the Jordan goes before us, preparing the way and ensuring the fulfillment of His promises in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wilderness" periods or transitions has God faithfully led you through, bringing you into a new season of blessing or purpose?**
* **How does the precise timing of Israel's entry into Canaan (linked to Passover) encourage you about God's intentionality and perfect timing in your own life?**
* **What "reproach" or past burdens might God be calling you to "roll away" as you step into a new spiritual inheritance or calling?**
* **In what ways can you establish "memorials" in your life to remember and celebrate God's faithfulness, much like the stones from the Jordan?**

### FAQ
**Why is the specific date, "the tenth [day] of the first month," so important?**

Answer: The specific date is highly significant because it was exactly four days before the annual Passover celebration, which commemorated Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt ([Exodus 12:3](/exodus/12-3 "Exodus 12:3 - Instructions for Passover Lamb")). By entering the Promised Land on this precise day, God intentionally linked their new beginning in Canaan to their foundational act of redemption. This timing underscored that their inheritance of the land was not merely a conquest but a continuation of God's redemptive plan, reminding them that their new life in the land was rooted in His saving grace and covenant faithfulness.

**What was the significance of Gilgal as their first encampment?**

Answer: Gilgal was strategically and spiritually significant. Militarily, its location on the "east border of Jericho" positioned Israel for their first major conquest, the city of Jericho ([Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho")). Spiritually, Gilgal became a central hub for Israel. It was there that the new generation, born in the wilderness, was circumcised, fulfilling the covenant sign and "rolling away" the "reproach of Egypt" ([Joshua 5:2-9](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-9 - Circumcision at Gilgal")). It was also where they celebrated the Passover for the first time in the land ([Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover Celebration at Gilgal")). Thus, Gilgal was a place of covenant renewal, purification, and preparation for the inheritance of the land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 4:19, with its emphasis on a new beginning, a miraculous crossing, and a divinely appointed timing, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The crossing of the Jordan, like the Red Sea, serves as a powerful type of **baptism**, symbolizing death to an old way of life (the wilderness wandering, the reproach of Egypt) and resurrection to a new life in the promised inheritance. Just as Israel entered the physical land, believers in Christ enter a spiritual inheritance, a new creation ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")) through faith. The "tenth day of the first month" points to Christ, the true Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice brings ultimate redemption and grants us access to the spiritual "Promised Land" of God's presence and kingdom. He is the one who leads us through the "waters" of judgment and into new life, just as He himself was baptized in the Jordan, initiating His public ministry and opening the way for us. Our "Gilgal" is found in Christ, where the reproach of sin is "rolled away" through His atoning work ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Victory in Christ")), and we are circumcised of heart by the Spirit ([Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "Romans 2:29 - Circumcision of the Heart")). Through Him, we are not merely encamped on the border, but we have been brought into the very presence of God, inheriting all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")).

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 5:9

And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

Micah 6:5

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

1 Samuel 15:33

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

Amos 4:4

Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, [and] your tithes after three years:

1 Samuel 11:14

Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.

1 Samuel 11:15

And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Joshua 10:43

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.