Joshua 4:22

KJV

Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then ye shall let your children {H1121} know {H3045}, saying {H559}, Israel {H3478} came over {H5674} this Jordan {H3383} on dry land {H3004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

you are to explain it to them by saying, 'Isra'el came over this Yarden on dry land.

Berean Standard Bible

you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

American Standard Version

then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse encapsulates God's directive, delivered through Joshua, for the Israelites to establish a perpetual memorial of the miraculous Jordan River crossing. It emphasizes the vital responsibility of each generation to actively transmit the knowledge of God's mighty acts—specifically, how He enabled Israel to pass through the Jordan on dry ground—to their children, ensuring that the divine power and faithfulness demonstrated in their history would be perpetually remembered and understood as foundational to their covenant relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of Joshua 4:22 is the culmination of the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. Chapters [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan") and [Joshua 4](/joshua/4 "Joshua 4 - The Memorial Stones") describe God's dramatic intervention, halting the flow of the Jordan as the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stood in the riverbed, allowing the entire nation of Israel to cross on dry ground. This event mirrors the Red Sea crossing, establishing God's continued faithfulness and power. Following this, God commands Joshua to instruct one man from each of the twelve tribes to take a stone from the riverbed where the priests stood. These twelve stones were then to be set up as a memorial at Gilgal, serving as a tangible reminder of the miracle. Verse Joshua 4:22 specifically articulates the *purpose* of this memorial: to provide a concrete object around which future generations could be taught about God's mighty deed, ensuring the memory of His power and covenant faithfulness would endure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, this event marks Israel's definitive entry into the Promised Land, a pivotal moment in their national identity and fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. The Jordan River, typically a formidable barrier, especially during its flood stage in harvest time (cf. [Joshua 3:15](/joshua/3-15 "Joshua 3:15 - Jordan at Flood Stage")), became a testament to God's power over nature. Culturally, memorial stones or altars were common in the ancient Near East as markers of significant events, covenants, or divine encounters. However, Israel's use of them was uniquely tied to the remembrance of Yahweh's specific acts of salvation and His ongoing covenant relationship with His people. The emphasis on intergenerational teaching ("let your children know") reflects a fundamental aspect of Israelite pedagogy, where the family unit was the primary locus for transmitting religious and historical truths, particularly the great acts of God (cf. [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teach Your Children Diligently")).
* **Key Themes:** A central theme in Joshua 4:22 is **remembrance**, not merely as a passive recollection, but as an active, mandated act of preserving divine history. This ties into the broader biblical emphasis on remembering God's mighty deeds to foster faith and obedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remember the Lord Your God")). The verse powerfully highlights **divine intervention and power**, showcasing God's sovereign control over creation to fulfill His promises to His people, just as He did at the Red Sea (cf. [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing")). This miraculous crossing of the Jordan serves as undeniable proof of God's **covenant faithfulness**, demonstrating His commitment to bringing Israel into the land He promised their ancestors. Finally, the command to "let your children know" underscores the critical theme of **intergenerational transmission of faith**, emphasizing the responsibility of each generation to pass on the spiritual heritage and the knowledge of God's saving acts, ensuring the continuity of the covenant community and its understanding of God's character.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yāda'_)**: This verb, often translated as "to know," carries a deeper meaning than mere intellectual apprehension. In biblical Hebrew, _yāda'_ can signify experiential knowledge, intimate acquaintance, and even acknowledgment or recognition. Here, it implies not just relaying facts, but imparting a profound understanding and appreciation of the significance of the Jordan crossing, fostering a faith-response in the children. It suggests an active process of education that leads to a personal grasp of God's power and faithfulness.
* **Dry Land (Hebrew, _yabbāšâ_)**: This term specifically denotes ground that is completely dry, not merely shallow or muddy. Its use here, as in the account of the Red Sea crossing ([Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Red Sea Dry Ground")), emphasizes the utterly miraculous nature of the event. It highlights that the crossing was not a natural phenomenon or a fortunate coincidence, but a direct, supernatural act of God, demonstrating His absolute control over the elements and His ability to create a path where none existed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then ye shall let your children know,"**: This opening clause establishes the primary command and its intended audience. The verb "let... know" (Hebrew: תּוֹדִיעוּ, _tôdîʿû_) is a Hiphil (causative) form, meaning "you shall cause them to know" or "you shall make them understand." This implies an active, intentional, and diligent process of teaching and explaining, rather than a passive or casual mention. It places a direct responsibility on the parents and the community to educate the next generation about their spiritual heritage and God's mighty deeds, ensuring that the divine acts are not forgotten but become foundational to their children's faith.
* **"saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land."**: This second clause provides the specific content to be transmitted. The core message is the miraculous nature of the Jordan crossing. The phrase "on dry land" (בֶּחָרָבָה, _beḥārābâ_) underscores the supernatural element, emphasizing that the ground was completely dry, not just passable or muddy. This detail highlights God's absolute power and His direct intervention on behalf of His people. The act of crossing the Jordan on dry land was a powerful sign, confirming God's presence with Joshua (cf. [Joshua 3:7](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7 - God Exalts Joshua")) and His faithfulness to bring Israel into the Promised Land, fulfilling His ancient promises. This statement serves as a foundational truth for the children's understanding of God's character and His ongoing relationship with Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 4:22 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Didacticism**, as the verse explicitly commands the transmission of knowledge for instructional purposes. It functions as a pedagogical mandate, ensuring that the historical event of the Jordan crossing serves as a perpetual lesson in divine power and faithfulness. Closely related is **Repetition**, as the command to remember and teach about the Jordan crossing is reiterated throughout [Joshua 4](/joshua/4 "Joshua 4 - The Memorial Stones") (cf. [Joshua 4:6-7](/joshua/4-6 "Joshua 4:6-7 - Purpose of the Stones"), [Joshua 4:21](/joshua/4-21 "Joshua 4:21 - Future Generations Ask")). This repetition underscores the critical importance of the message and reinforces its memorability. Furthermore, the memorial stones themselves serve as **Symbolism** and **Metonymy**. They are not merely objects but stand in for the miraculous event itself, becoming a tangible prompt for the oral tradition. The stones are a metonym for the crossing, and their presence is a symbol of God's enduring covenant and power. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing** in a sense, as the command anticipates future generations asking about the stones, thus setting up a scenario for the fulfillment of the didactic purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:22 is deeply rooted in the theological understanding of God's active involvement in history and His covenant faithfulness. It underscores that God is not a distant deity but one who powerfully intervenes on behalf of His people, fulfilling His promises. The command to "let your children know" transforms a historical event into a theological lesson, emphasizing that the knowledge of God's character—His power, faithfulness, and salvific intent—is to be perpetually transmitted across generations. This intergenerational teaching is crucial for maintaining Israel's identity as God's covenant people, reminding them that their existence and blessings are not due to their own strength but to God's mighty hand. It reinforces the concept that remembrance of God's past acts fuels present faith and future hope.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teach Your Children Diligently")
* [Psalm 78:3-7](/psalms/78-3 "Psalm 78:3-7 - Recounting God's Deeds to the Next Generation")
* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26 "Exodus 12:26-27 - Explaining the Passover to Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 4:22 offers profound contemporary relevance for individuals, families, and the church. It challenges us to consider how effectively we are transmitting the narrative of God's faithfulness to the next generation. Just as the memorial stones served as tangible prompts for Israel, we are called to identify and articulate the "stones" in our own lives—the specific instances of God's miraculous intervention, provision, and guidance. This involves actively sharing personal testimonies, recounting biblical history, and diligently teaching the truths of God's Word within our homes and communities. The verse reminds us that faith is not merely inherited but must be cultivated through intentional instruction and the living witness of those who have experienced God's power. Our responsibility extends beyond mere information transfer; it is about fostering a deep, experiential knowledge of God that inspires trust, obedience, and a vibrant relationship with Him in those who follow us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stones of remembrance" (significant acts of God) have you experienced in your own life or witnessed in the history of the church that you need to intentionally share with others, especially the next generation?**
* **In what practical ways can families and faith communities become more diligent in teaching children and young people about God's power and faithfulness, as exemplified in Joshua 4:22?**
* **How does remembering God's past interventions strengthen your faith and trust in Him for present challenges and future uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for Israel to remember this specific event?**

Answer: Remembering the Jordan crossing was crucial because it served as undeniable proof of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His sovereign power over creation. It confirmed that the same God who delivered them from Egypt was now bringing them into the Promised Land, fulfilling His word to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")). This act established God's authority and Joshua's leadership, providing a foundational narrative for Israel's identity as a nation chosen and sustained by Yahweh. It was a visible sign that God was indeed "making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert" ([Isaiah 43:19](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19 - God Makes a Way")), ensuring their faith would be rooted in historical reality.

**How does this command relate to the broader biblical emphasis on teaching children?**

Answer: This command is a specific instance of a pervasive biblical theme: the imperative to transmit spiritual heritage across generations. The Old Testament, particularly Deuteronomy, repeatedly emphasizes the responsibility of parents to diligently teach their children God's commands and mighty acts (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teach Your Children Diligently"), [Deuteronomy 11:19](/deuteronomy/11-19 "Deuteronomy 11:19 - Teach Your Children")). The Passover narrative also includes explicit instructions for explaining its meaning to children (cf. [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26 "Exodus 12:26-27 - Explaining the Passover to Children")). This consistent emphasis highlights that faith is not merely a personal experience but a communal legacy, requiring active and intentional instruction to ensure its continuity and vitality within the covenant community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 4:22, with its emphasis on a miraculous crossing and a memorial for future generations, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Jordan River crossing, a divine act enabling entrance into the physical Promised Land, foreshadows the spiritual "crossing" made possible by Christ into the true rest and inheritance of God's kingdom. Just as the Ark of the Covenant led Israel through the Jordan, Christ Himself, the very presence of God, leads His people through the "waters" of sin and death. His death and resurrection are the ultimate "dry land" crossing, conquering the formidable barriers that separate humanity from God. The command to remember and teach about the Jordan miracle points forward to the New Covenant's imperative to remember Christ's ultimate sacrifice through the Eucharist, where believers "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" ([1 Corinthians 11:26](/1_corinthians/11-26 "1 Corinthians 11:26 - Proclaim the Lord's Death")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, given to believers, serves as an abiding "memorial" and "guarantee" of our inheritance, enabling us to live in the reality of the new creation ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed with the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the Jordan crossing is not just a historical event but a powerful type, pointing to the greater salvation wrought by the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who enables His people to enter into eternal life and fellowship with God through His own miraculous work.

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 3:17

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.

Isaiah 51:10

[Art] thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?

Exodus 15:19

For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry [land] in the midst of the sea.

Revelation 16:12

¶ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

Psalms 66:5

Come and see the works of God: [he is] terrible [in his] doing toward the children of men.

Psalms 66:6

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

Isaiah 44:27

That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: