Joshua 4:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And command {H6680} ye them, saying {H559}, Take {H5375} you hence out of the midst {H8432} of Jordan {H3383}, out of the place where the priests {H3548}' feet {H7272} stood {H4673} firm {H3559}, twelve {H8147}{H6240} stones {H68}, and ye shall carry them over {H5674} with you, and leave {H3240} them in the lodging place {H4411}, where ye shall lodge {H3885} this night {H3915}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and give them this order: 'Take twelve stones from the middle of the Yarden riverbed, where the cohanim are standing, carry them over with you and set them down in the place where you will camp tonight.'"

Berean Standard Bible

and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 4:3 records God's precise instruction, conveyed through Joshua, for the Israelites to select twelve specific stones from the dry riverbed of the Jordan, precisely where the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stood firm. These stones were to be carried across the river by representatives of the twelve tribes and set up as a permanent memorial at their first encampment in the Promised Land, serving as an enduring testimony to God's miraculous intervention in enabling their passage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, immediately following the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan") describes the Lord's command for the priests to step into the swollen Jordan, at which point the waters piled up upstream, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground. The command in [Joshua 4:3](/joshua/4-3 "Joshua 4:3 - Command for the Memorial Stones") is given while the priests, bearing the sacred Ark of the Covenant, are still standing in the middle of the riverbed, holding back the waters. This specific timing underscores the direct divine orchestration of the event and the Ark's central role as the symbol of God's presence and power, making the location of the stone retrieval profoundly significant. The subsequent verses detail the execution of this command and the establishment of two memorials: one in the riverbed itself and the other at Gilgal.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jordan River, especially during its harvest flood stage, presented a formidable natural barrier, making the crossing an impossibility without divine intervention. This event parallels the earlier [Red Sea crossing](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing"), serving as a powerful reaffirmation of God's covenant faithfulness and His ability to overcome all obstacles for His people. In the ancient Near East, the erection of stone pillars or altars was a common practice for commemorating significant events, covenants, or divine encounters. These memorials served as tangible reminders and often as sites for recounting historical narratives. The act of taking twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes, from the very heart of the miraculous event, was a culturally resonant way to ensure the memory of God's mighty deed was preserved and passed down through generations.

* **Key Themes:** The command in [Joshua 4:3](/joshua/4-3 "Joshua 4:3 - Command for the Memorial Stones") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it emphasizes **Divine Remembrance and Memorial**, highlighting God's desire for His people to never forget His mighty deeds and covenant faithfulness, ensuring that the miraculous Jordan crossing would be perpetually recalled. Secondly, it showcases **God's Sovereign Power**, as the drying of the Jordan, a significant natural barrier, was an undeniable demonstration of His omnipotence and His ability to fulfill His promises, making a way where there seemed to be none. Thirdly, the memorial served as a **Witness to Future Generations**, explicitly designed to provoke questions from children, providing a crucial opportunity for parents to teach their descendants about God's faithfulness and power, thereby passing on their spiritual heritage, echoing the principles in [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Teaching Children About God's Commands"). Finally, the prompt and precise **Obedience and Trust** of the Israelites in gathering and setting up the stones reflects their faith in God's command through Joshua, solidifying their commitment to His plan for their entry into the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stood firm (Hebrew, _kûn_):** The Hebrew verb כּוּן (_kûn_), translated as "stood firm" (KJV) or "stood stationary" (NIV), carries the meaning of being established, fixed, prepared, or made ready. Its use here emphasizes the absolute stability and certainty of the dry ground beneath the priests' feet in the midst of the riverbed. This was not a precarious or temporary standing, but a divinely secured and unyielding position, highlighting the miraculous and undeniable control God exerted over the natural elements. It underscores the divine authority behind the entire crossing.
* **Twelve stones (Hebrew, _ʾeven_):** The term אֶבֶן (_ʾeven_) refers to a stone or rock. The specification of "twelve stones" is highly significant, directly symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. This number reinforces the idea that the entire nation, united under God's covenant, participated in and witnessed this miraculous event. Each stone represented a tribal identity, collectively forming a unified memorial to God's faithfulness to His entire people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And command ye them, saying":** This phrase establishes Joshua's role as God's chosen leader and mediator for the people. The command originates with God, but it is delivered through Joshua, underscoring his divinely appointed authority and the directness of God's communication with His people. The "them" refers to the twelve men, one from each tribe, who were previously selected for this specific task (Joshua 4:2).
* **"Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones":** This is the core of the instruction, detailing the precise location and quantity of the stones. The specificity of "out of the midst of Jordan" and "where the priests' feet stood firm" highlights the miraculous nature of the event. The stones were not just any stones, but those from the very spot of divine intervention, making them tangible witnesses to God's power. The "twelve stones" explicitly links the memorial to the twelve tribes of Israel, emphasizing the corporate nature of God's work for His covenant people.
* **"and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night":** This part of the command outlines the immediate action and destination for the stones. They were to be carried by the twelve representatives, symbolizing the tribes' active participation in remembering God's deed. The "lodging place where ye shall lodge this night" refers to Gilgal (Joshua 4:19-20), which would become their initial encampment and a significant base of operations in the Promised Land. This immediate placement ensured the memorial was established swiftly, before the memory of the event faded, and at a location that would become central to their early experience in Canaan.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "twelve stones" representing the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying national unity and collective witness to God's power. The stones themselves become a **metonymy** for the entire miraculous event, standing in for the crossing of the Jordan. The phrase "where the priests' feet stood firm" uses **synecdoche**, where the feet represent the entire presence of the Ark and the priests, embodying divine authority and stability in the midst of chaos. The entire command functions as a **divine mandate**, emphasizing God's direct involvement and purpose in establishing a lasting memorial. The narrative structure itself is one of **cause and effect**, where God's miraculous intervention (cause) necessitates the creation of a memorial (effect) to ensure remembrance and instruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:3 profoundly illustrates God's commitment to ensuring His mighty acts are remembered and passed down through generations. The command to erect a memorial underscores the theological principle that divine revelation and intervention are not merely historical facts but are meant to shape the identity, faith, and future of God's people. By establishing a tangible reminder, God provides a means for His people to continually recall His faithfulness, power, and covenant promises, thereby strengthening their trust and encouraging obedience. This act of remembrance is vital for sustaining a vibrant faith and for educating future generations about their spiritual heritage, ensuring that the legacy of God's work endures.

* [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Teaching Children About God's Commands")
* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26 "Exodus 12:26-27 - Purpose of the Passover")
* [1 Samuel 7:12](/1_samuel/7-12 "1 Samuel 7:12 - Ebenezer: Stone of Help")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command in Joshua 4:3 calls us to consider the profound importance of remembering God's past faithfulness in our own lives and in the life of the church. Just as the Israelites needed a tangible reminder of God's power at the Jordan, we too benefit from intentionally recalling His "memorials"—answered prayers, providential guidance, moments of divine strength in weakness, and breakthroughs in seemingly impossible situations. These personal recollections serve as anchors for our faith in times of doubt, providing hope for future challenges and reinforcing our conviction that the God who acted mightily in the past will continue to do so. Furthermore, the explicit purpose of the stones—to provoke questions from future generations—serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to share our faith stories, the truths of God's Word, and the testimony of His work with children, disciples, and those who come after us. We are called to be intentional in passing on our spiritual heritage, ensuring that the legacy of God's goodness and power continues to inspire and instruct, much like the stones set up at Gilgal. What "stones" or "memorials" has God established in your life that you need to remember and recount?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What significant "Jordan River" moments has God brought you through, and how do you intentionally remember and celebrate His intervention?**
* **How can you more effectively share your personal testimonies of God's faithfulness with the next generation or those new in faith?**
* **In what ways can your church or community create "memorials" or practices that help collectively remember God's mighty deeds?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the importance of obedience to God's specific commands, even when they seem symbolic?**

### FAQ
**Why were twelve stones taken, and why from that specific spot?**

Answer: The twelve stones were taken to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the unified nation's experience of God's miraculous power. Taking them from the exact spot "where the priests' feet stood firm" in the midst of the Jordan River emphasized the undeniable, tangible reality of God's intervention. It linked the memorial directly to the miraculous event, ensuring that the stones would forever testify to the dry passage through the river, a feat only possible by divine power. This specificity made the memorial a powerful and irrefutable witness to God's faithfulness to His covenant people as they entered the Promised Land.

**What was the purpose of these stones, and what happened to them?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the stones was to serve as a perpetual memorial and a teaching tool. [Joshua 4:6-7](/joshua/4-6 "Joshua 4:6-7 - Purpose of the Stones") explicitly states they were to be a sign among the Israelites, so that when their children asked about the meaning of the stones, they could recount the story of God drying up the Jordan. This ensured the memory of God's mighty deed would be passed down through generations. The stones were set up at Gilgal, which became Israel's first encampment in Canaan and a significant base of operations ([Joshua 4:19-20](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19-20 - The Stones at Gilgal")). While the exact physical fate of the stones over centuries is not detailed, their spiritual and historical purpose as a reminder of God's faithfulness endured.

**What is the significance of the "lodging place" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "lodging place where ye shall lodge this night" is later identified as Gilgal in [Joshua 4:19](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19 - Israel Encamped at Gilgal"). Gilgal became a highly significant location for the Israelites. It was their first permanent camp in the Promised Land, the place where they were circumcised ([Joshua 5:2-9](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-9 - Circumcision at Gilgal")), celebrated the Passover ([Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover at Gilgal")), and from which they launched their initial campaigns to conquer Canaan. Establishing the memorial stones at Gilgal ensured that this foundational act of God's faithfulness would be central to their ongoing experience in the land, serving as a constant reminder of how they entered and who brought them there.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the subsequent command to erect a memorial in [Joshua 4:3](/joshua/4-3 "Joshua 4:3 - Command for the Memorial Stones") find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as the Jordan represented a formidable barrier to the Promised Land, humanity faces an insurmountable barrier of sin and death, preventing entry into God's eternal rest. Christ, the ultimate Lamb of God, is our true Ark of the Covenant, who went into the depths of death and hell, holding back the waters of judgment, so that we might cross over into new life. His crucifixion and resurrection are the ultimate "firm standing" in the midst of our spiritual Jordan, making a way where there was none. The "twelve stones" of remembrance point forward to the ultimate memorial of God's faithfulness: the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the living stone ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Christ the Living Stone")), the tangible proof of God's covenant love and power. Our baptism, often performed in water, serves as a New Covenant "memorial" of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, symbolizing our passage from death to life in Him ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3 "Romans 6:3-4 - United with Christ in Death and Resurrection")). The Jordan crossing, therefore, foreshadows the greater deliverance and new beginning found in Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, leading us into our true spiritual inheritance ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus the Way, Truth, and Life")).

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 4:19

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.

Joshua 4:20

¶ And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.

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.

Joshua 4:8

And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

Luke 19:40

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

1 Samuel 7:12

Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Psalms 103:2

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: