Joshua 4:6

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Joshua 4:6 serves as a divine mandate for intergenerational remembrance, establishing the twelve stones taken from the miraculously parted Jordan River as a perpetual memorial. This verse anticipates future inquiries from children, prompting parents to recount God's powerful intervention in bringing Israel into the Promised Land, thereby ensuring that the nation's foundational faith and identity are continually rooted in the miraculous acts of their faithful God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 4:6 is situated immediately after the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground by the entire Israelite nation, led by the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant. The preceding verses detail God's command to Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe, to take a stone from the middle of the Jordan, where the priests' feet had stood firm, and to set them up as a memorial at their first encampment in the Promised Land. This specific verse provides the explicit divine rationale for this physical monument: to serve as a perpetual "sign" and a catalyst for future instruction, ensuring that the memory of God's mighty act is preserved and transmitted across generations. It flows directly from the command to erect the stones, explaining their purpose and anticipating the pedagogical opportunity they would create.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The crossing of the Jordan River marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, signifying the end of their wilderness wandering and their entrance into the land promised to their ancestors. This event, occurring during the Jordan's flood stage (often in the spring harvest season), mirrored the earlier miraculous parting of the [Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea"), thus reaffirming God's covenant faithfulness and His continued presence with His people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the erection of stone monuments (stelae, cairns) was a common practice to commemorate significant events, victories, or treaties. These physical markers served as tangible reminders and often as legal or historical records. The command to erect these stones at Gilgal, the Israelites' first camp in Canaan, aligns with this cultural practice but imbues it with a unique theological purpose: not merely to record history, but to facilitate the ongoing narrative of God's redemptive acts within the family unit and the national consciousness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Power**, demonstrating God's ability to fulfill His promises to Israel by miraculously clearing their path into the Promised Land, just as He did when leading them out of Egypt. Secondly, it highlights **Remembrance and Memorialization**, emphasizing the critical importance of not forgetting God's mighty deeds. The stones are a tangible "sign" (Hebrew: *'owth*) designed to provoke memory and testimony. Thirdly, and most prominently, it establishes the theme of **Intergenerational Teaching and Discipleship**. The explicit mention of children asking about the stones reveals God's design for faith to be actively transmitted from one generation to the next, fulfilling the mandate articulated in [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teaching Your Children"). This ensures the continuity of Israel's covenant identity and their understanding of God's ongoing work among them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sign (Hebrew, _'owth'_):** This term 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 by God to prompt questions and provide an opportunity to recount His powerful intervention. It implies a visible, tangible representation of an invisible, divine reality or event, intended to evoke memory, understanding, and faith. It's not just a historical marker but a theological one, pointing to God's character and actions.
* **Ask (Hebrew, _sha'al'_):** This verb means "to ask, inquire, demand." The use of *sha'al* here is crucial as it implies a natural curiosity and a proactive seeking of understanding from the children. God orchestrates the situation so that the memorial stones will inherently provoke questions, creating an open door for the parents to teach. This highlights the pedagogical intent behind the memorial, emphasizing active engagement rather than passive observation.
* **Mean (Hebrew, _mah_' + _'elleh_' + _'lakem'_):** While not a single word, the phrase "What mean ye by these stones?" (literally "What are these to you?") uses the interrogative pronoun *mah* ("what") combined with *'elleh* ("these") and the prepositional phrase *lakem* ("to you"). This construction emphasizes the personal significance and purpose of the stones for the Israelites. It's not just about the physical objects, but about their meaning and relevance to the covenant community, prompting an explanation of God's relationship with His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That this may be a sign among you":** The purpose clause immediately establishes the function of the twelve stones. They are not merely an arbitrary collection of rocks but a divinely ordained "sign" (*'owth*), a visible emblem of God's invisible power and faithfulness. This sign is "among you," indicating its presence within the community, constantly visible and accessible, serving as a perpetual reminder of the miraculous Jordan crossing.
* **"[that] when your children ask [their fathers] in time to come":** This clause reveals the specific mechanism through which the sign is intended to function. God anticipates future generations, particularly children, who, upon encountering the unusual monument, will naturally inquire about its meaning. The phrase "in time to come" (literally "tomorrow" or "afterwards") emphasizes the enduring nature of this memorial and the long-term vision of God for His people's spiritual formation. The responsibility of answering falls to "their fathers," highlighting the patriarchal role in transmitting faith.
* **"saying, What [mean] ye by these stones?":** This direct question, put into the mouths of future children, is the intended trigger for intergenerational instruction. It is a question of purpose and significance, not just identification. The children's innocent curiosity becomes the divine opportunity for parents to recount the mighty works of God, explaining the historical event of the Jordan crossing and its theological implications for Israel's identity as God's chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 4:6 employs several impactful literary devices. **Anticipation** is central, as the verse projects into the future, foreseeing the questions of future generations. This literary foresight underscores the enduring relevance of God's acts and the intentionality of His plan for intergenerational faith transmission. The stones themselves function as powerful **Symbolism**, representing God's miraculous power, His covenant faithfulness, and the nation's new beginning in the Promised Land. They are a tangible, physical manifestation of an extraordinary divine intervention. Furthermore, the entire passage is deeply **Didactic**, designed to teach and instruct. The very purpose of the stones, as explained in this verse, is to serve as a teaching aid, creating a natural pedagogical moment for parents to impart foundational truths about God to their children. This didacticism is reinforced by the direct quotation of the children's anticipated question, framing the narrative as an ongoing lesson.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:6 profoundly articulates God's commitment to ensuring that His redemptive acts are remembered and passed down through the generations. It underscores the principle that faith is not merely a personal conviction but a communal heritage, rooted in historical events where God has revealed His power and faithfulness. The stones serve as a tangible link between past divine intervention and future spiritual formation, demonstrating that God desires His people to continually reflect on His works as a foundation for their trust and obedience. This act of remembering is crucial for maintaining national identity and preventing spiritual amnesia, ensuring that each generation understands its place within God's unfolding story of salvation.

* [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teaching Your Children Diligently")
* [Psalm 78:4](/psalm/78-4 "Psalm 78:4 - Telling the Next Generation")
* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26 "Exodus 12:26-27 - Passover and Intergenerational Teaching")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 4:6 offers a timeless blueprint for spiritual formation within families and communities. It calls us to cultivate a posture of remembrance, actively recalling and celebrating God's faithfulness in our personal lives and in the broader history of redemption. Just as the stones at Gilgal were a physical prompt, we are encouraged to identify and create our own "spiritual markers"—whether through family traditions, personal testimonies, journaling, or regular recounting of God's goodness—that serve as tangible reminders of His work. This verse also places a profound emphasis on the sacred duty of intergenerational teaching. It's not enough for us to know God's story; we are commissioned to tell it, to anticipate the questions of the next generation, and to patiently, joyfully, and faithfully articulate the meaning of God's interventions. In a world prone to forgetfulness, this passage challenges us to be intentional storytellers of God's grace, ensuring that the legacy of faith endures and flourishes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stones" or significant moments of God's faithfulness have you experienced in your own life that you need to remember and recount?**
* **How are you intentionally creating "memorials" or practices in your family or community to pass on the story of God's work to the next generation?**
* **In what ways can you better anticipate and respond to the spiritual questions of children or younger believers in your life?**
* **What is the "meaning" of God's past actions for your present faith and future hope?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the Jordan River crossing for the Israelites?**

Answer: The Jordan River crossing was immensely significant for the Israelites for several reasons. Theologically, it demonstrated God's continued faithfulness to His covenant promises, mirroring the [Red Sea crossing](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing") and affirming that the same God who delivered them from Egypt was now leading them into the Promised Land. It served as a powerful sign that God was indeed with Joshua, just as He had been with Moses ([Joshua 3:7](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7 - God Exalts Joshua")). Strategically, it marked their definitive entry into Canaan, ending their wilderness wanderings and initiating the conquest of the land. It was a clear, undeniable miracle that would have instilled both awe in Israel and fear in the inhabitants of Canaan ([Joshua 5:1](/joshua/5-1 "Joshua 5:1 - Canaanites' Fear")).

**Why were "fathers" specifically mentioned as the ones to answer the children's questions?**

Answer: The mention of "fathers" reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the father was typically the head of the household and bore primary responsibility for the religious instruction and moral upbringing of his children. This aligns with broader biblical mandates, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Shema and Teaching Children"), which instruct parents (implicitly, the father as the head) to diligently teach God's commands to their children. While mothers also played a vital role in education, the father's role in public and formal instruction, especially concerning national history and covenant identity, was emphasized. This highlights the divine intention for faith to be transmitted within the family unit, with the father as a key spiritual leader and storyteller.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The memorial stones of Joshua 4:6, designed to provoke questions and facilitate the recounting of God's mighty acts, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the supreme "sign" and the very embodiment of God's faithfulness. Just as the Jordan crossing signaled Israel's entry into their promised inheritance, Christ's death and resurrection open the way for believers to enter into the new covenant inheritance—eternal life and communion with God. The stones pointed to a historical act of salvation, but Christ Himself is the living memorial of God's ultimate salvation, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our "children," both physical and spiritual, now ask not merely "What mean ye by these stones?" but "What mean ye by the cross?" or "Who is this Jesus?" And our answer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is the Gospel: that God, in Christ, has fulfilled all His promises, parted the waters of sin and death, and brought us into His glorious kingdom. The New Covenant's "memorial" is the Lord's Supper, where we "proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes" ([1 Corinthians 11:26](/1_corinthians/11-26 "1 Corinthians 11:26 - Proclaiming the Lord's Death")), ensuring that the central act of God's redemptive history—Christ's sacrifice—is continually remembered and passed on to every generation. He is the ultimate sign, the living Word, and the one through whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

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

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

¶ 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: