TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
KJV (with Strong's)
And Joshua H3091 said H559 unto them, Pass over H5674 before H6440 the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 your God H430 into the midst H8432 of Jordan H3383, and take ye up H7311 every H259 man H376 of you a stone H68 upon his shoulder H7926, according unto the number H4557 of the tribes H7626 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478:
Complete Jewish Bible
and said to them, "Go on ahead of the ark of ADONAI your God into the riverbed of the Yarden. Then, each of you take a stone on his shoulder, corresponding to the number of tribes of the people of Isra'el.
Berean Standard Bible
and said to them, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of Israel,
American Standard Version
and Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of Jehovah your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel;
World English Bible Messianic
Joshua said to them, “Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone and put it on your shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel;
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Ioshua said vnto them, Go ouer before the Arke of the Lord your God, euen through the middes of Iorden, and take vp euery man of you a stone vpon his shoulder according vnto the nomber of the tribes of the children of Israel,
Young's Literal Translation
and Joshua saith to them, `Pass over before the ark of Jehovah your God unto the midst of the Jordan and lift up for you each, one stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel,
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In the KJVVerse 5,916 of 31,102
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Commentary on Joshua 4 verses 1–9
1 ¶ And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
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.
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
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.
9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
We may well imagine how busy Joshua and all the men of war were while they were passing over Jordan, when besides their own marching into an enemy's country, and in the face of the enemy, which could not but occasion them many thoughts of hear, they had their wives, and children, and families, their cattle, and tents, and all their effects, bag and baggage, to convey by this strange and untrodden path, which we must suppose either very muddy or very stony, troublesome to the weak and frightful to the timorous, the descent to the bottom of the river and the ascent out of it steep, so that every man must needs have his head full of care and his hands full of business, and Joshua more than any of them. And yet, in the midst of all his hurry, care must be taken to perpetuate the memorial of this wonderous work of God, and this care might not be adjourned to a time of greater leisure. Note, How much soever we have to do of business for ourselves and our families, we must not neglect nor omit what we have to do for the glory of God and the serving of his honour, for that is our best business. Now,
I. God gave orders for the preparing of this memorial. Had Joshua done it without divine direction, it might have looked like a design to perpetuate his own name and honour, nor would it have commanded so sacred and venerable a regard from posterity as now, when god himself appointed it. Note, God's works of wonder ought to be kept in everlasting remembrance, and means devise for the preserving of the memorial of them. Some of the Israelites that passed over Jordan perhaps were so stupid, and so little affected with this great favour of God to them, that they felt no concern to have it remembered; while others, it may be, were so much affected with it, and had such deep impressions made upon them by it, that they thought there needed no memorial of it to be erected, the heart and tongue of every Israelite in every age would be a living lasting monument of it. But God, knowing their frame, and how apt they had been soon to forget his works, ordered an expedient for the keeping of this in remembrance to all generations, that those who could not, or would not, read the record of it in the sacred history, might come to the knowledge of it by the monument set up in remembrance of it, of which the common tradition of the country would be an explication; it would likewise serve to corroborate the proof of the matter of fact, and would remain a standing evidence of it to those who in after-ages might question the truth of it. A monument is to be erected, and, 1. Joshua, as chief captain, must five direction about it (v. 1): When all the people had clean passed over Jordan, not even the feeble, that were the hindmost of them, left behind, so that God had done his work completely, and every Israelite got safe into Canaan, then God spoke unto Joshua to provide materials for this monument. It is the pious conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick that Joshua had gone into some place of retirement to return thanks immediately for this wonderful mercy, and then god met him, and spoke thus to him. Or, perhaps, it was by Eleazar the priest that God gave these and other instructions to Joshua; for, though he is not mentioned here, yet, when Joshua was ordained by the imposition of hands to this great trust, god appointed that Eleazar should ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim, and at his word Joshua and all the children of Israel must go out and come in, Num 27:21. 2. One man out of each tribe, and he a chosen man, must be employed to prepare materials for this monument, that each tribe might have the story told them by one of themselves, and each tribe might contribute something to the glory of God thereby (Jos 4:2, Jos 4:4): Out of ever tribe a man. Not the Levites only, but every Israelite must, in his place, help to make known to the sons of men God's mighty acts, Psa 145:12. The two tribes, though seated already in their possession, yet, sharing in the mercy, must lend a hand to the memorial of it. 3. The stones that must be set up for this memorial are ordered to be taken out of the midst of the cannel (where, probably, there lay abundance of great stones), and as near as might be from the very place where the priests stood with the ark, Jos 4:3, Jos 4:5. This intended monument deserved to be made of stones curiously cut with the finest and most exquisite art, but these stones out of the bottom of the river were more natural and more apt indications of the miracle. let posterity know by this that Jordan was driven back, for these very stones were then fetched out of it. In the institution of signs, God always chose that which was most proper and significant, rather than that which is pompous or curious; for God hath chosen the foolish things of the world. These twelve men, after they got over Jordan, must be sent back to the place where the ark stood, being permitted to come near it (which others might not) for this service: "Pass over before the ark (Jos 4:5), that is, into the presence of the ark, which now stands in the midst of Jordan, and thence fetch these stones." 4. the use of these stones is here appointed for a sign (Jos 4:6), a memorial, Jos 4:7. They would give occasion to the children to ask their parents in time to come, How came these stones hither? (probably the land about not being stony), and then the parents would inform them, as they themselves had been informed, that in this place Jordan was divided by the almighty power of God, to give Israel passage into Canaan, as Joshua enlarges on this head, v. 22, etc.
II. According to these orders the thing was done. 1. Twelve stones were taken up out of the midst of Jordan, and carried in the sight of the people to the place where they had their head-quarters that night, v. 8. It is probable that the stones they took were as big as they could well carry, and as near as might be of a size and shape. But whether they went away with them immediately to the place, of whether they staid to attend the ark, and kept pace with the solemn procession of that, to grace its triumphant entry in to Canaan, is not certain. By these stones which they were ordered to take up God did, as it were, give them livery and seisin of this good land; it is all their own, let them enter and take possession; therefore what these twelve did the children of Israel are said to do (v. 8), because they were the representatives of their respective tribes. In allusion to this, we may observe that when the Lord Jesus, our Joshua, having overcome the sharpness of death and dried up that Jordan, had opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers, he appointed his twelve apostles according to the number of the tribes of Israel, by the memorial of the gospel to transmit the knowledge of this to remote places and future ages. 2. Other twelve stones (probably much larger than the other, for we read not that they were each of them one man's load) were set up in the midst of Jordan (v. 9), piled up so high in a heap or pillar as that the top of it might be seen above the water when the river was low, or seen in the water when it was clear, or at least the noise of commotion of the water passing over it would be observable, and the bargemen would avoid it, as they do a rock. Some way or other, it is likely, it was discernible, so as to notify the very place where the ark stood, and to serve for a duplicate to the other monument, which was to set up on dry land in Gilgal, for the confirming of its testimony and the preserving of its tradition. The sign being doubled, no doubt the thing was certain.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
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John DamasceneAD 749
ON DIVINE IMAGES 3.23
Images are of two kinds: either they are words written in a book … or else they are material images such as the twelve stones which he commanded to be taken from the Jordan for a second memorial (such a mystery, truly the greatest ever to befall the faithful people!) of the carrying of the ark and the parting of the waters. Therefore we now set up images in remembrance of valiant men, that we may zealously desire to follow their example. Either remove these images altogether, and reject the authority of him who commanded them to be made, or else accept them in the manner and with the esteem which they deserve.
John DamasceneAD 749
ON DIVINE IMAGES 1.18
God ordered twelve stones to be taken from the Jordan, and specified why, for he says, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, what do these stones mean? Then you shall let your children know, Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground, for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over,” and thus the ark was saved and all the people. Shall we not then record with images the saving passion and miracles of Christ our God, so that when my son asks me, “What is this?” I may say that God the Word became man, and that through him not only Israel passed through the Jordan, but the whole human race regained its original happiness? Through him, human nature rose from the lowest depths to the most exalted heights, and in him sat on the Father’s throne.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 4:5 records Joshua's precise command to the twelve chosen representatives of the Israelite tribes, given immediately after the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground. This instruction, delivered while the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stood firm in the riverbed, mandates that each designated man retrieve a stone from the exact spot where the Ark rested. These twelve stones were to serve as a perpetual, tangible memorial, ensuring that future generations of Israelites would remember and recount the Lord's mighty act of bringing His people safely into the Promised Land, thereby reinforcing their covenant relationship with God.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, directly following the miraculous Jordan River crossing detailed in Joshua 3. Joshua 3:17 specifically highlights that the priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, stood unmoving on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while the entire nation passed over. Joshua 4:1-3 immediately precedes our verse, recounting God's direct command to Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe, for the specific task of taking a stone from the riverbed. Thus, Joshua 4:5 represents Joshua's faithful relaying of this divine instruction, setting the stage for the physical erection of the memorial at Gilgal, as described in Joshua 4:20-24. The entire chapter meticulously emphasizes the importance of remembrance and the tangible evidence of God's miraculous intervention in Israel's history.
Historical & Cultural Context: The practice of setting up memorial stones (often called maṣṣebôt) was a widespread custom in the ancient Near East, serving as permanent markers of significant events, covenants, boundaries, or divine interventions. For the Israelites, such memorials carried profound theological weight, linking present generations to God's past acts of salvation and covenant faithfulness. The Jordan River itself was not merely a geographical feature but a significant symbolic barrier, representing the final obstacle before entering the land promised to Abraham. The miraculous crossing, therefore, was not merely a logistical feat but a powerful demonstration of Yahweh's sovereignty over creation and His active presence in fulfilling His promises. The "ark of the LORD your God" was the preeminent symbol of God's tangible presence, His covenant with Israel, and His leading authority, often preceding the people in their journey and in battle, as seen in Numbers 10:33. The participation of "every man of you a stone upon his shoulder" underscored the collective responsibility and individual effort required to commemorate this national, divinely orchestrated event, making the memorial a shared act of worship and testimony.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuchal narrative. Firstly, it highlights Divine Command and Obedience, showcasing Joshua's immediate and precise execution of God's instruction, a recurring motif for successful leadership and national blessing throughout the book, particularly evident in the detailed account of the conquest. Secondly, the emphasis on the "ark of the LORD your God" underscores God's Presence and Power, demonstrating that it is Yahweh Himself who leads His people, overcomes insurmountable obstacles like the swollen Jordan, and performs mighty wonders on their behalf. The Ark's central position in the riverbed signifies God's direct involvement in creating the dry path, echoing the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14. Thirdly, the mandate to take "a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel" introduces the critical theme of A Lasting Memorial and Intergenerational Faith. As further explained in Joshua 4:6-7, these stones were to serve as a perpetual sign, prompting future generations to inquire about their meaning, thereby providing an opportunity to recount God's faithfulness and power. This ties into the broader Deuteronomic emphasis on teaching children God's mighty acts and His Law, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:20-25. Finally, the participation of one man from each of the "twelve tribes" emphasizes Unity and Corporate Identity, signifying that the miraculous crossing and the subsequent memorial were a shared experience and a collective testimony for the entire nation, reinforcing their identity as God's covenant people.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several impactful Literary Devices to convey its profound message. Symbolism is paramount, with the "ark of the LORD your God" serving as a potent Symbol of God's active, covenantal presence and omnipotent power among His people. The "stones" themselves function as a tangible, enduring Symbol of His miraculous intervention and unwavering faithfulness. The specific action of carrying the stones "upon his shoulder" is also deeply Symbolic, representing the personal and collective burden of remembering and faithfully transmitting God's deeds across generations. The narrative is framed by Command and direct instruction, as Joshua precisely relays God's directives, highlighting the importance of immediate and complete obedience. The repetition of the number "twelve" (referring to the tribes and implicitly the stones) serves as Emphasis, underscoring the corporate identity and unified experience of Israel in this pivotal moment of national formation. Furthermore, the narrative's focus on a physical, visible memorial utilizes Concrete Imagery to convey abstract theological truths about remembrance, God's enduring power, and the continuity of His covenant relationship with His people.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:5 is rich with theological significance, primarily serving as a foundational text for the theme of divine remembrance and the perpetuation of faith across generations. The command to erect a memorial underscores God's desire for His people to never forget His mighty acts of salvation and faithfulness. It teaches that God's interventions are not merely historical events but are meant to be remembered, recounted, and celebrated, thereby continually reinforcing His covenant relationship with Israel. The tangible nature of the stones ensures that the story of God's power over creation and His leading presence (symbolized by the Ark) would be passed down, fostering a living faith in subsequent generations. This act of memorializing is a pedagogical tool, designed to prompt inquiry and provide a platform for teaching the profound truth of Yahweh's unique identity as the God who delivers and fulfills His promises.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 4:5 challenges believers today to consider how we remember and transmit the story of God's faithfulness in our own lives and in the history of the church. Just as the Israelites needed a tangible reminder of God's miraculous intervention, we too benefit from creating "memorials" that serve as anchors for our faith. These can be personal spiritual disciplines like journaling specific answers to prayer, celebrating anniversaries of significant spiritual milestones, or sharing testimonies within our families and communities. The passage reminds us that our faith is not merely a private experience but a communal legacy meant to be passed on. We are called to be intentional in recounting God's mighty acts to the next generation, ensuring they understand the foundations of our faith and the unwavering character of God. This involves more than just intellectual knowledge; it requires creating opportunities for questions, engaging in storytelling, and living out a faith that visibly demonstrates God's ongoing work. The unity of the tribes in this act also emphasizes the corporate nature of our witness, reminding us that we are part of a larger body, each contributing to the collective testimony of God's glory and the perpetuation of His truth.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was it so important for the Israelites to take stones from the Jordan Riverbed?
Answer: The act of taking stones from the Jordan Riverbed was profoundly important because it served as a tangible, perpetual memorial of God's miraculous intervention. The stones were taken from the exact spot where the priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, stood firm on dry ground while the entire nation of Israel crossed the river. This made the stones a physical testament to God's power over creation and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to bring His people into the Promised Land. As explained in Joshua 4:6-7, these stones were intended to prompt future generations to ask about their meaning, providing a divinely ordained opportunity for parents to recount the incredible story of God's mighty hand. It was a crucial pedagogical tool, ensuring that the memory of God's saving acts would not fade but would be passed down through the ages, reinforcing their national identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The memorial stones of Joshua 4:5, marking Israel's entry into the Promised Land through God's miraculous power, find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Just as the Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's leading presence among His people, Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's presence, the "Word made flesh" who "dwelt among us" (John 1:14). The crossing of the Jordan, a formidable barrier overcome by divine power, foreshadows the spiritual crossing from death to life, from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of light, made possible through Christ's atoning work on the cross (Colossians 1:13-14). We, as believers, are now called "living stones" (1 Peter 2:4-5), built into a spiritual house, a new temple where God's presence dwells through the Holy Spirit. The memorial of the twelve stones finds its New Covenant counterpart in the Lord's Supper, a tangible act of remembrance commanded by Christ Himself, where we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Through Christ, we have crossed into a new spiritual reality, a "better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16), and He is our faithful High Priest who leads us into the true rest, the heavenly Canaan, fulfilling the ultimate promise of God's presence and salvation for all who believe.