Joshua 4:8

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Commentary on Joshua 4:8

Joshua 4:8 describes the immediate and faithful execution of God's command regarding the memorial stones, following the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. This verse highlights the Israelites' obedience and the tangible preparation for a lasting monument to God's power.

Historical and Cultural Context

This event marks a crucial transition for the Israelites: their entry into the Promised Land after forty years in the wilderness. The parting of the Jordan River was a clear sign of God's presence and power, reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, erecting stone memorials was a common practice to commemorate significant events, covenants, or victories. These "witness stones" served as a physical reminder for generations to come. The "midst of Jordan" signifies the very heart of the riverbed, emphasizing the complete cessation of the water flow. The stones were carried to their first encampment in Canaan, which is identified in later verses as Gilgal, a place that would become significant in Israel's early history in the land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Obedience to Divine Command: The verse explicitly states, "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." This immediate and collective obedience underscores the importance of heeding God's instructions.
  • Memorial and Remembrance: The primary purpose of these stones, as explained in Joshua 4:7, was to serve as a perpetual memorial. They were to be a sign for future generations, prompting questions about God's mighty acts and His faithfulness in bringing His people into their inheritance.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness: The entire episode, from the parting of the Jordan to the command for the stones, demonstrates God's active involvement and unfailing commitment to His covenant promises. He cleared the way for Israel and ensured a tangible reminder of His power.
  • Unity of the Tribes: The selection of "twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel," symbolized the unity of the entire nation in this momentous event. Each tribe shared in the miraculous crossing and the subsequent act of remembrance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "midst of Jordan" (b'tok hayarden) literally means "in the middle of the Jordan," highlighting the extraordinary nature of the dry ground where the priests stood and from where the stones were taken. The word for "stones" ('abanim) is simple, but their origin from the miraculously dry riverbed imbues them with profound spiritual significance.

Practical Application

Joshua 4:8 encourages believers today to remember God's faithfulness in their own lives and in the history of salvation. Just as the Israelites were commanded to remember, we too should create "memorials"—whether through personal testimonies, journaling, or regular reflection—to recall God's interventions and provisions. This verse also emphasizes the beauty and power of prompt obedience to God's word. Furthermore, it reminds us of our responsibility to teach future generations about God's great works, much like the stones were meant to prompt questions from children, leading to explanations of God's power (Deuteronomy 6:20-25).

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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