Joshua 4:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did {H6213} so as Joshua {H3091} commanded {H6680}, and took up {H5375} twelve {H8147}{H6240} stones {H68} out of the midst {H8432} of Jordan {H3383}, as the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} unto Joshua {H3091}, according to the number {H4557} of the tribes {H7626} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and carried them over {H5674} with them unto the place where they lodged {H4411}, and laid them down {H3240} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Isra'el did just as Y'hoshua had ordered. They took twelve stones out of the Yarden riverbed, as ADONAI had said to Y'hoshua, corresponding to the number of the tribes of the people of Isra'el, carried them over with them to the place where they were camping, and set them down there.

Berean Standard Bible

Thus the Israelites did as Joshua had commanded them. They took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each tribe of Israel, just as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them to the camp, where they set them down.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 4:8 meticulously records the immediate and faithful execution of God's command by the children of Israel, who, under Joshua's divinely inspired direction, retrieved twelve memorial stones from the miraculously dried riverbed of the Jordan. These stones, representing the twelve tribes, were then carried to their first encampment in the Promised Land and laid down, serving as a tangible and enduring witness to the Lord's mighty power in bringing His people safely across the formidable river and fulfilling His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 4:8 is strategically positioned within the climactic narrative of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, immediately following the divine instruction for the memorial stones. [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan") culminates with the Levite priests standing firm in the middle of the Jordan on dry ground, holding the Ark of the Covenant, as the river's waters were miraculously cut off and piled up. Chapter 4 opens with the Lord instructing Joshua to select one man from each tribe to retrieve twelve stones from the very spot where the priests stood ([Joshua 4:1-3](/joshua/4-1-3 "Joshua 4:1-3 - Command for the Stones")). These stones were explicitly designated as a perpetual sign for future generations ([Joshua 4:6](/joshua/4-6 "Joshua 4:6 - Purpose of the Stones")). Verse 8, therefore, serves as the crucial hinge, demonstrating Israel's prompt and collective obedience to this command, setting the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the placement of the stones at Gilgal ([Joshua 4:19-20](/joshua/4-19-20 "Joshua 4:19-20 - Stones Placed at Gilgal")) and their intended purpose as a teaching tool. This verse underscores the integral role of human response in the divine plan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event described in Joshua 4:8 marks a monumental turning point in Israelite history: their long-awaited entry into the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. The miraculous parting of the Jordan River, a feat powerfully reminiscent of the [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea") at the Exodus, served as an undeniable sign of God's continued presence, covenant faithfulness, and validation of Joshua's leadership before all Israel ([Joshua 3:7](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7 - Joshua's Leadership Confirmed")). In the ancient Near East, the erection of stone memorials (often called *massebot* or *gilgals*) was a widespread and significant practice to commemorate pivotal events, treaties, victories, or divine encounters. These monuments served as physical, enduring reminders for generations, often prompting inquisitive questions from the young about their purpose and the events they signified. The specific instruction to take stones from the "midst of Jordan" emphasized the extraordinary nature of the dry ground, highlighting the complete cessation of the river's flow—a divine intervention that underscored God's sovereign control over creation. The stones were carried to their first encampment in Canaan, later identified as [Gilgal](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19 - Israel Encamps at Gilgal"), a site that would hold profound religious and historical importance in Israel's early years in the land, serving as a base for their conquest and a center for worship.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 4:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. First, it vividly illustrates **Obedience to Divine Command**, explicitly stating that "the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones... as the LORD spake unto Joshua." This immediate, collective, and faithful obedience is presented as central to Israel's success and blessing as they enter their inheritance. Second, the verse highlights the theme of **Memorial and Remembrance**. The primary purpose of these stones, as articulated in [Joshua 4:7](/joshua/4-7 "Joshua 4:7 - Purpose of the Memorial Stones"), was to serve as a perpetual sign, prompting future generations to inquire about God's mighty acts and His unwavering faithfulness in bringing His people into their inheritance (compare [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Teaching Future Generations")). Third, the entire episode, from the Jordan's miraculous parting to the command for the stones, vividly demonstrates **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**. God actively intervenes to clear the way for Israel, fulfilling His covenant promises and providing a tangible, enduring reminder of His power. Finally, the selection of "twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel," powerfully symbolizes the **Unity of the Tribes** in this momentous event. Each tribe shared equally in the miraculous crossing and the subsequent act of remembrance, reinforcing their collective identity as God's chosen people under one God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **did (Hebrew, _'âsâh'_):** From `H6213`, this primitive root conveys the sense of "to do" or "to make" in its broadest application. In this context, it signifies the prompt, complete, and faithful execution of a command. The use of the perfect tense implies a completed action, emphasizing Israel's immediate and unhesitating obedience. This word highlights their active participation and compliance with the divine directive given through Joshua, a crucial aspect of their relationship with God as they enter the Promised Land.
* **midst (Hebrew, _tâvek'_):** Derived from `H8432`, this word denotes a "bisection" or "the center." Its use here, "out of the midst of Jordan," is highly significant. It emphasizes that the stones were not taken from the riverbanks or shallow edges, but from the very heart of the riverbed, which had been miraculously dried up. This precise geographical detail underscores the extraordinary nature of the divine intervention, marking the stones as direct, undeniable witnesses to God's unprecedented power over creation.
* **stones (Hebrew, _'eben'_):** From `H68`, this word simply means "a stone." However, in the context of Joshua 4:8, these "stones" are imbued with profound symbolic weight. Their selection as "twelve stones" (H8147, H6240) directly corresponds to the number of the tribes of Israel, signifying national unity and collective participation. Their origin from the miraculously dry riverbed transforms them from ordinary objects into sacred memorials, tangible proofs of God's covenant faithfulness and mighty acts, designed to prompt remembrance and instruction for future generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded":** This opening clause immediately establishes the central theme of obedience. It highlights the prompt, collective, and faithful action of the entire nation in direct response to Joshua's directive. This obedience is not merely to Joshua as a human leader, but implicitly to God, as Joshua's commands were divinely inspired. This sets a vital precedent for faithful adherence to God's word as Israel embarks on their new life in the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of human agency in fulfilling divine mandates.
* **"and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan":** This describes the specific action taken by the designated men. The precise number "twelve stones" emphasizes the representation of each of the twelve tribes, signifying national unity and complete participation in this momentous event. Crucially, the stones were taken "out of the midst of Jordan," from the very spot where the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stood on miraculously dry ground. This detail underscores the supernatural nature of the crossing and imbues the stones with unique significance as tangible proof of God's power and direct intervention.
* **"as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel":** This phrase clarifies the ultimate source of the command, tracing it back to the Lord Himself. It reaffirms that Joshua was acting as God's faithful instrument, and the Israelites' obedience was ultimately directed towards God's divine will. The repetition of "according to the number of the tribes" further emphasizes the national, inclusive nature of this memorial, ensuring that every tribe was represented and shared in this foundational act of remembrance and witness.
* **"and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there":** This final clause details the transportation and permanent placement of the stones. The act of carrying them "over with them" signifies their integration into the Israelites' journey and initial settlement in Canaan. The "place where they lodged" refers to Gilgal (as confirmed in Joshua 4:19-20), which became their initial encampment in the Promised Land. Laying them down there established a permanent, visible memorial at the very threshold of their new inheritance, a constant and enduring reminder of God's miraculous provision and unwavering faithfulness at the beginning of their conquest.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 4:8 employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. **Repetition** is evident in the emphasis on "twelve stones" and the explicit connection to "the number of the tribes of the children of Israel," reinforcing the national scope and collective identity of the act. This repetition serves to underscore the unity and shared experience of the entire nation. **Symbolism** is central, as the stones themselves are not merely inert objects but powerful symbols of God's miraculous intervention, His covenant faithfulness, and Israel's collective witness. Their unique origin from the dry riverbed of the Jordan transforms them into a tangible, undeniable testament to divine power. The swift, declarative narrative, moving from divine command to immediate and complete human execution, creates a sense of **Narrative Efficiency** and powerfully highlights Israel's prompt **Obedience**. The verse also functions as a form of **Preparatory Action** or **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the establishment of the permanent memorial at Gilgal and its future role in teaching subsequent generations, thereby emphasizing the importance of remembrance and the transmission of spiritual heritage in Israel's ongoing story.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:8 stands as a profound theological statement on divine faithfulness and the imperative of human remembrance. The act of gathering and setting up these stones is not merely a historical record but a theological command for active recollection. It teaches that God's mighty acts are not to be forgotten but are to be enshrined in the collective memory of His people, serving as perpetual anchors for their faith and identity. This physical memorial underscores the undeniable reality of God's intervention in history, providing tangible evidence of His covenant promises fulfilled. The stones were a "sign" ([Joshua 4:6](/joshua/4-6 "Joshua 4:6 - Purpose of the Memorial Stones")), a visible token of an invisible God's power and presence, designed to prompt inquiry and facilitate the transmission of spiritual heritage from one generation to the next. This highlights the crucial role of testimony, teaching, and communal memory in maintaining a vibrant faith community and ensuring that the knowledge of God's works endures.

* [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Teaching Future Generations")
* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26-27 "Exodus 12:26-27 - Passover as a Memorial")
* [Psalm 78:1-7](/psalms/78-1-7 "Psalm 78:1-7 - Recounting God's Deeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 4:8 offers a timeless and profound lesson for believers today: the critical importance of remembering God's faithfulness. Just as the Israelites were commanded to create a tangible memorial to recall God's miraculous intervention, we too are called to actively remember and recount His mighty works in our own lives and in the grand narrative of salvation history. This involves intentionally setting up "memorials"—whether through journaling personal testimonies of answered prayer, regularly reflecting on God's provision, sharing stories of His grace with others, or participating in corporate acts of remembrance like communion. Such practices serve to fortify our faith in times of doubt, to cultivate gratitude, and to remind us of God's unchanging character and unwavering love. Furthermore, the Israelites' prompt and collective obedience serves as a powerful challenge to our own discipleship. Are we as quick and unified in our obedience to God's revealed will, both individually and corporately? This verse also profoundly underscores our responsibility to be faithful stewards of spiritual heritage, ensuring that the next generation understands the foundational truths of God's power and faithfulness. We are called to be intentional storytellers, pointing to the "stones" in our lives and in Scripture, so that our children and grandchildren may ask, "What do these stones mean?" and be led to a deeper, transformative understanding of our great and faithful God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I actively cultivate a posture of remembrance for God's faithfulness in my personal life and in the broader story of redemption?**
* **What "memorials" (tangible or intangible practices) have I established to recall God's specific interventions and provisions in my journey of faith?**
* **In what areas of my life or in my community am I being called to demonstrate prompt and collective obedience, mirroring the Israelites' response to God's command?**
* **How am I intentionally passing on the story of God's great works and the truths of His character to the next generation, whether within my family, church, or wider sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why were the stones taken from the Jordan itself, rather than from the banks?**

Answer: The specific instruction to take the stones "out of the midst of Jordan" was absolutely crucial for emphasizing the miraculous and unprecedented nature of the event. The stones were retrieved from the very spot where the priests stood on miraculously dry ground, holding the Ark of the Covenant, while the mighty waters of the Jordan were supernaturally held back ([Joshua 3:17](/joshua/3-17 "Joshua 3:17 - Priests Stand in the Jordan")). This detail underscored that the memorial was not merely about a river crossing, but about God's direct, supernatural intervention that defied natural laws. It made the stones undeniable, tangible proof of His immense power and unwavering faithfulness, serving as a direct link to the divine miracle itself.

**What was the significance of "twelve" stones?**

Answer: The number "twelve" is profoundly symbolic throughout the biblical narrative, consistently representing the totality, completeness, and unity of the tribes of Israel. By taking twelve stones, one for each tribe, the memorial symbolized the collective experience and unified participation of the entire nation in this foundational event. It served as a powerful reminder that God's covenant faithfulness extended to all His people, and that all tribes shared equally in the miraculous crossing and the subsequent inheritance of the Promised Land. This unified witness was essential for solidifying their identity as God's chosen nation and for teaching future generations about their shared heritage and God's collective blessing.

**Where exactly were the stones laid down?**

Answer: The verse states they were carried "unto the place where they lodged." Later in the chapter, [Joshua 4:19-20](/joshua/4-19-20 "Joshua 4:19-20 - Israel Encamps at Gilgal") explicitly identifies this location as Gilgal. Gilgal became the Israelites' first encampment in Canaan and served as their primary base of operations for a significant period during the initial conquest. It was there that they circumcised the new generation ([Joshua 5:2-9](/joshua/5-2-9 "Joshua 5:2-9 - Circumcision at Gilgal")), celebrated the Passover ([Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover at Gilgal")), and from there they launched their initial campaigns to conquer the land. Laying the stones at Gilgal established a central, visible, and enduring memorial at the very threshold of their new inheritance, a constant reminder of God's miraculous provision and faithfulness as they embarked on their mission to possess the land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 4:8, with its emphasis on a tangible memorial to God's faithfulness in miraculously clearing the way into the Promised Land, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Jordan crossing, like the Red Sea deliverance before it, serves as a powerful typology of salvation, new beginnings, and God's sovereign power to make a way where there is no way. Just as the stones testified to God's power in creating a path through the impossible river, Christ is the ultimate "way" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), the one through whom God has opened a new and living way into His very presence ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). The miraculous dry ground foreshadows Christ's victory over death and the grave, creating a path for humanity to cross from spiritual death to eternal life. He is the true and living "memorial" of God's love and power, the incarnate Word who "tabernacled among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), making God's invisible attributes and redemptive plan perfectly visible. Furthermore, the New Covenant has its own, infinitely more significant memorial: the Lord's Supper. When we partake of the bread and the cup, we do so "in remembrance of Me" ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")), recalling Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, the definitive act of God's faithfulness that secures our spiritual inheritance. The twelve stones pointed to a physical inheritance in Canaan; Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), ushers us into an eternal, heavenly inheritance ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope, An Incorruptible Inheritance")), a "better country" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - Longing for a Better Country")) made possible by His perfect obedience and atoning work.

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 4:20

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

Joshua 4:2

Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

Joshua 4:5

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:

Joshua 1:16

¶ And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.

Joshua 1:18

Whosoever [he be] that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.