Joshua 4:5

KJV

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 4:5 details Joshua's direct command to the twelve tribal representatives immediately following Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground. This instruction, given while the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stood firm in the riverbed, mandates that each designated man retrieve a stone from the precise spot where the Ark rested. These twelve stones were intended 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.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the climactic narrative of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, specifically following the miraculous Jordan River crossing described in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan"). [Joshua 3:17](/joshua/3-17 "Joshua 3:17 - Priests Stand Firm in Jordan") highlights that the priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while the entire nation passed over. [Joshua 4:1-3](/joshua/4-1 "Joshua 4:1-3 - God's Command for the Stones") immediately precedes our verse, detailing 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 is Joshua's faithful relaying of this divine instruction, setting the stage for the erection of the memorial at Gilgal, as described in [Joshua 4:20-24](/joshua/4-20 "Joshua 4:20-24 - The Memorial at Gilgal"). The entire chapter emphasizes the importance of remembrance and the tangible evidence of God's miraculous intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of setting up memorial stones was a common practice in the ancient Near East, serving as a permanent marker of significant events, covenants, or divine interventions. For the Israelites, such memorials often carried profound theological weight, linking present generations to God's past acts of salvation and covenant faithfulness. The Jordan River itself was a significant geographical and 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 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](/numbers/10-33 "Numbers 10:33 - The Ark Leads the Way"). The participation of "every man of you a stone upon his shoulder" underscored the collective responsibility and individual effort in commemorating this national, divinely orchestrated event.
* **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**, showing Joshua's immediate and precise execution of God's instruction, which is a recurring motif for successful leadership in the book. 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 obstacles, 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. 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](/joshua/4-6 "Joshua 4:6-7 - Purpose of the Stones"), 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, as seen in [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Teaching Children About the Law"). 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.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ark (Hebrew, _'aron'_):** Refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in Israel, representing the very presence of God among His people. Its full designation here, "ark of the LORD your God" (אֲרוֹן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, _aron Yahweh Eloheykhem_), emphasizes the intimate, covenantal relationship between Yahweh and Israel. The Ark was not merely a ceremonial box but the tangible symbol of God's authority, His promises, and His active leading of His people. Its position in the "midst of Jordan" underscored that God Himself was the one who held back the waters and opened the path.
* **Stone (Hebrew, _'even'_):** A seemingly simple word, but profoundly significant in this context. These were not just any stones, but specifically chosen from the very riverbed where God's presence (via the Ark) had halted the mighty Jordan. As a physical, durable object, the stone serves as an ideal material for a lasting memorial, symbolizing the unchangeable and enduring nature of God's faithfulness and His covenant promises. The act of carrying a "stone upon his shoulder" further imbues it with personal effort and significance.
* **Shoulder (Hebrew, _shekhem'_):** This word denotes the part of the body used for bearing burdens or responsibilities. The instruction to take a "stone upon his shoulder" (עַל־שִׁכְמוֹ, _'al-shikhmo'_) implies a deliberate, physical exertion and personal involvement in the act of remembrance. It signifies that the memorial was not to be a light or casual undertaking but one that required effort and commitment from each representative, making the act of carrying the stone a tangible connection to the weight and significance of God's mighty deed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan,"**: This clause establishes Joshua as the divine messenger, relaying God's precise instructions. The command to "pass over before the ark" emphasizes the Ark's preeminence and God's leading role. The destination, "into the midst of Jordan," specifies the exact location from which the stones are to be taken—the very spot where the priests bearing the Ark stood firm, signifying the epicenter of God's miraculous intervention.
* **"and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder,"**: This is the core instruction for the memorial. "Every man of you" highlights individual participation within a collective act, ensuring that each tribal representative personally engages in the physical act of retrieving and bearing a stone. The phrase "a stone upon his shoulder" underscores the deliberate, physical effort involved, making the memorial a personal and tangible burden, not merely a symbolic gesture.
* **"according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:"**: This final clause specifies the precise number of stones to be taken—twelve. This number directly corresponds to the twelve tribes, symbolizing the corporate unity of the entire nation in experiencing God's deliverance and in bearing witness to His faithfulness. It ensures that the memorial represents the whole of Israel, emphasizing their shared history and destiny under God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several impactful **Literary Devices**. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "ark of the LORD your God" symbolizing God's active, covenantal presence and power, and the "stones" themselves serving as a tangible, enduring **Symbol** of His miraculous intervention and faithfulness. The act of carrying the stones "upon his shoulder" is also **Symbolic**, representing the personal and collective burden of remembering and transmitting God's deeds. There is an element of **Command** and direct instruction, as Joshua relays God's precise directives, highlighting the importance of 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. The narrative's focus on a physical, visible memorial also employs **Concrete Imagery** to convey abstract theological truths about remembrance and God's enduring power.

### 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.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teaching Your Children")
* [Psalm 78:1-7](/psalm/78-1 "Psalm 78:1-7 - Recounting God's Deeds to Future Generations")
* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26 "Exodus 12:26-27 - The Passover Memorial")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stones of remembrance" have you set up in your own life to recall God's faithfulness?**
* **How are you intentionally passing on the stories of God's work to the next generation in your family or community?**
* **In what ways does your church or spiritual community create memorials or practices that remind members of God's past interventions?**
* **What personal "burden" or effort are you willing to undertake to ensure the legacy of faith continues beyond yourself?**

### 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 crucial 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](/joshua/4-6 "Joshua 4:6-7 - The Purpose of the Memorial Stones"), these stones were intended to prompt future generations to ask about their meaning, providing an opportunity for parents to recount the incredible story of God's mighty hand. It was a divinely ordained teaching tool, ensuring that the memory of God's saving acts would not fade but would be passed down through the ages.

### 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 presence leading His people, Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's presence among us, the "Word made flesh" who "dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The crossing of the Jordan, a 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. We, as believers, are called "living stones" ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones")), built into a spiritual house, a new temple where God's presence dwells. 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](/1_corinthians/11-23 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). Through Christ, we have crossed into a new spiritual reality, a "better country" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Better Country")), 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.

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.