Joshua 4:6

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?

That this may be a sign {H226} among {H7130} you, that when your children {H1121} ask {H7592} their fathers in time to come {H4279}, saying {H559}, What mean ye by these stones {H68}?

This will be a sign for you. In the future, when your children ask, 'What do you mean by these stones?'

to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, β€˜What do these stones mean to you?’

that this may be a sign among you, that, when your children ask in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

Commentary

Joshua 4:6 captures a pivotal moment in Israel's history, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and intergenerational teaching. This verse is part of God's instruction to Joshua regarding the twelve stones taken from the miraculously dried-up Jordan River bed.

Context

Following the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites to the threshold of the Promised Land. Their entry required crossing the Jordan River, which was at flood stage during harvest time. In a powerful display of divine intervention, God commanded the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to step into the Jordan. As their feet touched the water, the river parted, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground, echoing the earlier Red Sea crossing. Joshua 4:6 explains the purpose of the twelve stones, one from each tribe, that were taken from the riverbed and set up as a memorial at Gilgal.

Key Themes

  • Divine Remembrance: The primary purpose of the stones was to serve as a tangible memorial of God's miraculous power and faithfulness in enabling the Israelites to cross the Jordan. God commanded this physical sign so that His mighty work would not be forgotten.
  • Intergenerational Teaching: The verse explicitly states that the stones are for when "your children ask... What mean ye by these stones?" This highlights the divine intention for parents to teach their children about God's historical acts of salvation and provision. It underscores the responsibility of each generation to pass on the narrative of God's faithfulness.
  • God's Ongoing Presence: The Jordan crossing was not just a historical event but a demonstration that the same God who led them out of Egypt was still with them, fulfilling His promises and leading them into the Promised Land. The stones symbolized His continued presence and power among His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "sign" in this verse is 'owth (אוֹΧͺ). This term frequently denotes a mark, token, or miraculous sign that serves as a reminder or a pledge. Here, the stones are an 'owth, a clear marker designed to prompt questions and provide an opportunity to recount God's powerful intervention, thus reinforcing faith and national identity.

Practical Application

Joshua 4:6 reminds believers today of the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness and actively passing on our faith to the next generation. Just as the stones served as a teaching tool for ancient Israel, we are called to:

  • Remember God's Works: Reflect on the ways God has intervened in our own lives and in the history of His people. Keeping a spiritual "memorial" of His goodness helps strengthen our faith in times of doubt.
  • Teach the Next Generation: The responsibility to impart spiritual truths and the story of God's redemptive acts rests with parents and spiritual leaders. By sharing our testimonies and the biblical narrative, we equip children to understand and embrace their own faith. Deuteronomy 6:7 emphasizes diligently teaching God's commands to our children.
  • Create Spiritual Markers: While we don't erect physical stone monuments, we can create spiritual "memorials" through traditions, family devotions, sharing personal testimonies, and celebrating significant spiritual milestones, all of which serve as reminders of God's enduring grace and power.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 13:14

    And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [is] this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

  • Joshua 4:21

    And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What [mean] these stones?

  • Psalms 44:1

    ΒΆ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

  • Deuteronomy 11:19

    And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

  • Joshua 22:27

    But [that] it [may be] a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 6:20

    [And] when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [mean] the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

  • Deuteronomy 6:21

    Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:
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